As we wrap this Plastic Free Ecochallenge, I would to thank our WashU Team Captain, Anna Haudrich, for keeping us motivated to connect and to share our actions with the entire community.  My biggest surprise with this challenge was my switch to the ecofriendly laundry sheets by "Sheets Laundry Club."  I did not see that one coming, and I love it!
As I continue my plastic pollution journey, I am happy to report that yesterday I did my first plastic pollution survery by the Gateway Arch. I used the Ocean Cleanup survey App on the Mississippi River.  The plastic pollution there is mostly land-based.  I am happy I will take part of a cleanup effort in that area later this year.  I left two of my painted rocks on site. I hope someone can see them. Today I surveyed the area by what used to be the outlet mall in Chesterfield.  This area has been renovated, and it now hosts mostly entertainment venues.  I was pleasantly surprised to see dumpsters behind parking lots. The amount of plastic and trash has significantly been reduced because of this initiative.  Best of luck to the team as you enjoy the rest of the summer.  I hope you notice plastic everywhere you go now.  Take care.  Luz

I painted more rocks for the bike trail last night.  I started distributing them on the other side of the bike trail as they have baseball fields.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the area 95% free of plastic.  That was awesome! I still need to search the end of that side of the trail because there are many businesses located there.  I took more pictures for the UN Decade of Ocean Science data collection.  Another surprise, A piece of paper with a message to "Practice the 4 Decisions." Please read it, and get inspired.  What a beautiful way to close the week.  Happy Friday! Luz

It is helpful to have the daily reinforcement of my goals to reduce plastic use. I hope that I can continue to meet those goals after the eco challenge ends.

Today I began my day taking pictures of trash/plastic on the streets around me.  I plan to use these pictures and others to collaborate with data collection for the UN Decade of Ocean Science.  This year in Nairobi, 175 countries agreed on negotiating a global legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution by 2024.  This really is a big challenge, but there are a lot of organizations doing incredible work around the world.  Please see recording of treaty decision: https://youtu.be/28mNomsFsFY

Please note I also registered to do a cleanup at the Columbia Bottom Conservation area with the Missouri River and the Mississippi River met. This will be on September 17th.  Please see registration information if you are interested in participating: https://riverrelief.org/event/great-river-cleanup-at-the-confluence-2022/

My next project is to ask for approval to paint a rock by the bike trail located close to the highway where plastic/styrofoam pollution is entering our area which is really close to the Missouri River. If anyone wants to help with this effort, contact me at lzdrooney@gmail.com

This has been an amazing journey that will not end with the end of the month of July. Thank you. Luz

Rocks for the biking trail. A simple message: "Be #PlasticFree."  I distributed the rocks as I biked along the  trail. I was surprised when I went back to the parking lot, as someone acknowledged this initiative by leaving a candy wrap under a rock I left on one of the benches.  This is a great start of my journey.

Biking Trail-small cleanup effort left the entrance #PlasticFree.

Today I attended a webinar on making your business plastic free.  We heard from Cassia Patel from Oceanic Global who is involved in the UN's Global Treaty on Plastics which aims at targeting plastic pollution solutions at a global level. This will be the a legally binding treaty.  I hope to share the recording with the group before the Ecochallenge ends.
I biked today, and I was able to clear the entrace of the biking trail from plastics.  I also left six rocks with a simple "Be #PlasticFree" sign on the back.  The desigs were simple as the nature that surrounds the trail.  I am also started taking pictures of trash to incorporate on an App as part of a collaboration initiative with the UN Decade of Ocean Science.  I will share some pictures.

I started my day today heading to the community garden.  I took my reusable bottle water, and a cardboard box for weeds. Dinner will be meat free. We will enjoy some fresh veggies from the garden and fish tonight.  I am getting ready to start collecting data on plastic pollution on land and water using two different Apps.  If anyone is interested, you can reach me at lzdrooney@gmail.com We have not been biking due to the heat. However, I am painting rocks with a simple plastic free message to leave behind the path when we resume later this week.  Happy to contribute to a #PlasticFree world for the sake of nature.  It can exist without us for sure.  Enjoy your day, Luz

Today I led an outdoors painting class with our Kids Community Garden.  I re-used Jell-O containers which were used to hold water.  I like to use a tile as a paiting palette, and I was asked why I do that. My response? "Plastic is not recycleable, and I can use and re-use this tile many times." I have actually had this tile for over 10 years.  It works wonders!  I collected few water bottles I found on the grounds of the painting project. I also brought my re-usable water bottle.  I love it as it holds ice for hours. A successful #PlasticFree morning.  Cooling down before I experiment canning cucumbers for the first time ever. Stay cool eveyone.  Have a great weekend. Luz