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Ann Cawthon's avatar

Ann Cawthon

City of Gainesville

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 321 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    7.0
    pieces of plastic cutlery
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    8.0
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    7.0
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    waste audit
    conducted
  • UP TO
    6.0
    zero-waste meals
    consumed

Ann's actions

Food

Cook a Zero-Plastic Waste Meal

I will prepare 1 meal(s) at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Skip the Straw

I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors. Why not try using hair conditioner instead of shaving foam for that baby smooth feel?

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 1 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusable Bags

I will not accept any disposable bags when making purchases, including produce bags.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Personal Care

Brusha Brusha Brusha

I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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?


  • Ann Cawthon's avatar
    Ann Cawthon 7/22/2019 1:45 PM
    This campaign has sensitized me to other areas of environmental responsibility.  It has also been the instigation of conversations among friends about avoidance of single-use plastic and other items that can negatively influence our environment.


  • Ann Cawthon's avatar
    Ann Cawthon 7/22/2019 1:45 PM
    This campaign has sensitized me to other areas of environmental responsibility.  It has also been the instigation of conversations among friends about avoidance of single-use plastic and other items that can negatively influence our environment.


  • Ann Cawthon's avatar
    Ann Cawthon 7/22/2019 1:42 PM
    Not reporting daily, but acting daily.

  • Ann Cawthon's avatar
    Ann Cawthon 7/13/2019 5:34 AM
    Not a reusable utensil, but a reusable (metal) Keurig pod!  A bit more expensive than a plastic reusable, but much more durable.  


  • Ann Cawthon's avatar
    Ann Cawthon 7/11/2019 6:49 AM
    I have already been practicing most of the changes I have chosen:  reduce, reuse and recycle.  How to handle dog waste in a subdivision is a continuing problem.  Composting the waste causes an odor problem that is not acceptable.  This eco challenge has made me more aware of responsible use of other materials as well as how very hard it is to rid oneself of single use plastic.  For instance, single use medicine bottles.  Although I reuse some, there are still bottles in the recycle bin.  I drive a hybrid car, but it still uses fuel and other resources.  Should I drive all over town to find a product I need, or should I use Amazon that is easier but packages in plastic and has employee issues?  Is there any research going on about recycling plastic?  I am more careful in using chemicals, including fertilizer, around my home. Pulling more weeds than killing, etc., but mixing up vinegar and Dove with a dash of salt as a weed killer, etc. My husband planted trees in our neighborhood's common area behind our house to replace several that have died.  Thanks to Kristen and Kim for increasing my sensitivity to our need for responsible use of plastic and other materials that do not easily disintegrate.


    • Kim Harris's avatar
      Kim Harris 7/11/2019 7:43 AM
      You are doing a great job, Ann!  The EcoChallenge provides a learning process for all of us and the experience is a big reminder of how prevalent plastic is and how our whole society has developed around the efficiency and services it provides in our daily lives.  Thanks for learning, thinking, and growing with us.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Cook a Zero-Plastic Waste Meal
    Do an inventory of your kitchen to see how many single-use plastics you've used in the past. What are some resuable alternatives to these commonly used products? What would your impact be if you switched all the single-use products from your inventory to reusable?

    Ann Cawthon's avatar
    Ann Cawthon 7/04/2019 6:52 PM
    Where can I buy berries that are not packaged in disposable plastic  containers?

    • Windy Wood's avatar
      Windy Wood 7/05/2019 2:19 PM
      The only way that I know is to eat in season and go to a farm to participate in u-pick and therefore you can bring your own containers.