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Jesus Ortiz's avatar

Jesus Ortiz

L.A. Zoo - Angeleno Plastic Eliminators (APE)

"Live simple and constantly learn to do more with less"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,889 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    2.0
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    1.0
    community event
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    8.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    45
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    110
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    86
    pieces of plastic cutlery
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    67
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    35
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    5.0
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    waste audit
    conducted

Jesus's actions

Lifestyle

Practice Sustainable Fashion

I will spend 20 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Travel Eating

If traveling, I will bring my own snacks and meals in my own containers to avoid the waste of take-out containers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Complete a Waste Audit

I will conduct a waste audit - including recyclables and compost - to understand how much waste I create and where I can reduce the most.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Join a Cleanup Effort

I will host or participate in a beach, highway, river, or other cleanup effort in my community that follows the CDC’s current guidelines for prevention of disease transfer.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Give Some Green Gratitude

I will give a shout-out on social media to a local company, coworker, friend or family member for their plastic free or green efforts.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Tour A Waste Management Facility

I will spend at least 20 minute(s) touring (virtually or in person) a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about our local waste and waste recovery streams.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Dig into Bioplastics

I will spend at least 20 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 5 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Research Local Waste Sites

I will spend 20 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Estimate My Plastic Consumption

I will visit the rePurpose website, complete the 3-minute plastic consumption calculator, and explore how I can reBalance my annual plastic footprint.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Learn about Plastic Production

Plastic production, not just disposal, pollutes communities and harms people. I will learn about the impacts of plastic production on humans, animals, communities, and the environment.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Advocate for Plastic-Free Dining

I will talk to the owner or manager of a restaurant I frequent to request that they reduce their use of single-use and disposable plastics.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Advocate for Office Reusables

I will lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Advocate For Better Food Packaging

I will advocate for alternatives to single use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, or work.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family

Discover Together

I will spend 20 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family

Learn about Environmental Justice

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 20 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family

Swap the Snacks

I will swap out 2 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Lifestyle

Clean Plate Club

When I need to replace my dish soap, I will switch to a bar or refillable option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Natural Fibers

When available, I will purchase clothing made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Travel Toiletries

If traveling, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me in a TSA-approved reusable quart-sized bag.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Buy Only What I Need

I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 6 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 29
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusables at Work

I will use reusable dishes and silverware when eating at work.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Go Strawless

I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use a Reusable Mug

If possible, I will avoid sending 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own travel cup.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Fill a Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Plant a Garden

I will plant a herb or vegetable garden using as little plastic as possible and to save from the plastic used buying herbs and veggies.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Minimize Packaging

I will purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Choose Reusable Food Storage

I will only use reusable containers instead of single-use plastic storage items (such as plastic wrap, single-use sandwich bags).

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Skip Plastic Bags

When possible, I will not use disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Lifestyle Clean Plate Club
    How easy was this swap for you? Did you have any concerns before making it?

    Jesus Ortiz's avatar
    Jesus Ortiz 7/28/2022 9:42 AM
    Part of the problem of switching to alternative products that don't come in plastic containers or are not made out of plastic is often the extra cost and the inconvenience that the alternatives represent. I am not sure a bar of dish soap really costs more to manufacture than an equivalent amount of liquid dish soap, but at least in appearance, the bar dish soap costs twice as much. Also, at least for this application, it is far more convenient to pour it out of a bottle than having to rub the bar of soap. Many of us can forgo convenience once we are aware our efforts help a noble cause, but  when it comes to economics, making the switch can be more of a challenge. This is specially true for those with lower incomes, who often don't have a choice but go with what is most affordable.  I think that in order to be effective in reducing plastic,  the masses need to be fully aware of the issues plastics represent. But at the same time, the cost of alternative products need to be at least equivalent.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Lifestyle Travel Eating
    Was this action easy or difficult to do? How did it change your travel experience?

    Jesus Ortiz's avatar
    Jesus Ortiz 7/27/2022 4:33 PM
    It was easy, particularly as it involved snacks. We did use some tupperware to pack some fruit salad, but at least it was not single-use plastic. Brown paper bags were used for sandwiches. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Personal Care That Was a Close Shave
    What have you noticed about the economic and social impact of switching to steel razors? Was there ever really a need for disposable razors, or do you think it was just a way to sell more things?

    Jesus Ortiz's avatar
    Jesus Ortiz 7/27/2022 4:05 PM
    Steel razors may last longer, but have a higher cost. Disposable razors are convenient and more economical. Often times, a disposable razor is less expensive than the blade refill for the steel razor. I believe this is where the popularity of disposable razors comes from. If not steel razors, I think we should at least switch to those that can be used for a considerable amount of time by replacing just the blade.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Family Learn about Environmental Justice
    What did you and your family learn about environmental justice? What questions came up for you? What feelings?

    Jesus Ortiz's avatar
    Jesus Ortiz 7/27/2022 3:45 PM
    We learned that all people and communities have the right to equal environmental protection under the law, and the right to live, work and play in communities that are safe, healthy and free of life-threatening conditions. How environmental issues are more prevalent in some communities than others. Why is that? A lot more work needs to be done.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Advocate for Plastic-Free Dining
    What was your strategy in talking with your favorite restaurant's management? Did you find it to be effective?

    Jesus Ortiz's avatar
    Jesus Ortiz 7/27/2022 3:29 PM
    I first refused the plastic straw and utensils, and explained the issues with plastics and the problems these can caused.  The person was receptive and seem to agree that everyone needs to reduce plastic consumption. However, there was no commitment that anything would change with regards to how the restaurant currently operates.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Lifestyle Practice Sustainable Fashion
    How can you express your personality, creativity, and values in ways that don't require fast fashion or buying more clothes and accessories?

    Jesus Ortiz's avatar
    Jesus Ortiz 7/27/2022 1:44 PM
    Always purchase what you need or like, not so much what is in style or what is on sale. Buying items unnecessarily or to please others may lead to single use or no use at all. Needing or liking something ensures long-term use whether in fashion or not.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Lifestyle Travel Toiletries
    What is the benefit of using bar soaps or refilling your travel sized containers? Is this an action you think you will keep in your life?

    Jesus Ortiz's avatar
    Jesus Ortiz 7/27/2022 1:17 PM
    Bar soaps can be more practical and an alternative to avoiding potential spills when traveling. Buying in bulk and using refillable containers can save money. Therefore, yes, this is an action that can be adopted on a permanent basis.

  • Jesus Ortiz's avatar
    Jesus Ortiz 7/25/2022 4:30 PM
    If we all just check in and complete more than one action, we can generate more than 8000 points a day! We still got time. LET'S GO FOR #1!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Advocate for Office Reusables
    What are some of the cases you could make to an employer for why switching to durable dishes and utensils is actually in their best interest as well?

    Jesus Ortiz's avatar
    Jesus Ortiz 7/22/2022 4:43 PM
    Durable dishes and utensils  are  the best environmental option. Reusable dishware will use far less energy and resources over its lifetime than its disposable counterparts. Even with the energy and water needed to wash items, the overall environmental impact is substantially less than single-use, throw-away items. Additionally, it can be cheaper in the long run. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Estimate My Plastic Consumption
    What did you find out about your plastic consumption by using the calculator? What did or didn't surprise you?

    Jesus Ortiz's avatar
    Jesus Ortiz 7/21/2022 4:27 PM
    Definitely plastic bags. It was really no surprise because plastic bags are very commonly used for just about everything.