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Welcome to the Plastic Free Challenge

As zoos and aquariums, we are keenly aware of the impact humans are having on wildlife every day. That’s why we are so excited to open up the Plastic Free EcoChallenge to our communities! Each year, an estimated one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles die from plastics in their environment. Recent research also suggests that terrestrial species are negatively affected as more microplastics make their way into their ecosystems. Through our collective effort, Plastic Free EcoChallenge gives us the ability to make a difference for these species most impacted by our plastic pollution.

We challenge you to make small changes to reduce single-use plastics and stick with it for one month. Plastic Free EcoChallenge aims to raise awareness of the problems with single-use disposable plastic and challenges people to do something about it. You pick your challenges, ask your co-workers, family and community to come along for the ride, and set a goal that makes a difference for you, your community and our planet.

Did you know that common wisdom says it takes three weeks to change a habit? If you can stick with a new behavior for 21 days in a row, you’re a lot more likely to keep it up forever. We want you to share your progress and earn points for taking action for 31 days. The combination of collective inspiration, camaraderie and friendly competition makes change a little easier — and a lot more fun.

Explore the Challenges

Discover Change, Together.

We believe the solution to the planet’s biggest challenges lies in the power of collective action.

The Plastic Free July originated with a nonprofit group in Australia and has now been adapted for the zoo and aquarium community. Your organization, or one near you, takes incredible steps to address plastic consumption and has signed on to make positive changes by joining our Plastic Free EcoChallenge! As conservation and sustainability focused organizations, zoos and aquariums know how imperative healthy ecosystems and habitats are for future generations. Single-use plastics are a major threat to all species, including ourselves—let’s continue to tackle the problem together to see our collective impact.

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Rise to the Challenge.

The Plastic Free EcoChallenge is powered by the EcoChallenge Platform.

The EcoChallenge Platform is a signature offering of EcoChallenge.org (formerly Northwest Earth Institute), a sustainability organization that provides innovative social and digital tools designed to be a launchpad for emerging generations and sustainability leaders to experience “ah-ha” moments that lead to extraordinary environmental and social change. EcoChallenge.org also hosts a global October EcoChallenge which is free and open to everyone, everywhere. Over 73,500 people from 101 countries have used the EcoChallenge Platform and the organization has engaged over 250,000 people throughout its 25-year history. The EcoChallenge Platform can also be used to create custom Challenges that meet the engagement and action goals of your workplace, college, or community.

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