Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2019

July 1 - July 31, 2019

Komal P

"To leave a smaller footprint, to create a better world for future generations; to create less waste, less clutter and more positivity and kindness. "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
893 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

8.0

hours

volunteered
UP TO

110

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

54

pieces of plastic cutlery

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

58

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

1.0

waste audit

conducted

Komal's actions

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

Lifestyle

Watch a Documentary

I will watch a documentary film about waste with family and friends and talk about what we learned.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Volunteer in my Community

I will volunteer 8 hour(s) in my community.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusable Bags

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

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Fresh as a Daisy

I will use deodorant either from a bar or a jar or I will make my own.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Use Reusables at Work

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

COMPLETED 18
DAILY ACTIONS

Lifestyle

Travel Eating

If traveling, I will bring my own airplane snacks and eat at local restaurants to avoid 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

Food

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 2 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusable Containers

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

COMPLETED 23
DAILY ACTIONS

Lifestyle

Natural Fibers

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

UNCOMPLETED
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

Personal Care

Brusha Brusha Brusha

I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Lather Up

I will replace my soaps, shampoos, and conditions with either a bar or refillable option.

COMPLETED
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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Personal Care Fresh as a Daisy

Do some research on the toxic side affects of aluminum deodorant. After reading the side effects, can you think of instances where you may have experienced the side effects from this form of deodorant?

Komal P 7/30/2019 3:48 PM

I personally have not experienced the side effects from using deodorant....maybe hormones but thats hard to prove. With that being said, I just feel a million times better using the natural stuff! I feel good about what i use, I feel good about myself. I'm proud of making a great choice in using aluminum free deodorant. Although they are becoming readily available in our town, they are still rather expensive. I'm really looking forward to learning how to make it at home! Would be such a great experience.

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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?

Komal P 7/22/2019 8:37 AM

Absolutely something I will be doing moving forward. The amount of packaging that goes into creating these small travel sized items is intense and they are used for just a few days if that. The other pro on this is that I know what my products are made of. I know how natural products are if I bring them. It all just takes a bit of organization and pre-planning to make sure everything is available during travels. Another something I'm trying to do is use my own towels cause goodness, I'm sure they go through a ton of washes, which also means a ton of water waste. Our planet is worth every means possible to create a sustainable future!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Minimize Packaging

With the added mindfulness of reducing your packaging, what have you noticed about the amount and type of single use plastics used for packaging when you shop in the grocery store?

Komal P 7/15/2019 7:26 AM

So yesterday I went to the grocery store to purchase a few things and while checking out, the cashier asked, "Is plastic okay?" And in my mind, I was like no, its really not okay. But then I'm like "whats the alternative?" and why is that option not provided. It just got me thinking that how language plays an integral part in our shopping experience and the more in-tune we are to our values and our environment, then hopefully we will be able to question and lead to more educated decisions. My next step will be have those conversations and hopefully get those cashiers to think a little differently. After all, we are here to make a change for all current and future generations.

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- Life Unplastic 7/15/2019 10:06 AM
  
  The language is so important! Remember when it was “paper or plastic?” Sadly, they probably realized they could save a lot of money not mentioning the paper at all.
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle Complete a Waste Audit

What did you learn about the waste you create? Where can you reduce the most?

Komal P 7/15/2019 6:50 AM

This has been a question and reflection process for some time now since we've moved into our own home. Our city provides us with a HUGE trash bin that's picked up weekly and two recycling bins. My parents live in another country and they are provided with a moderately sized trash bin (picked up twice w month), a recycling bin and a compost bin!!!! I really wish the city would provide us with a compost bin. I would love to start one at home but I'm also very hesitant due to animals, etc. After doing the waste audit, most of our waste comes from foods like the core of an apple, banana peels etc. We have also traded in our HUGE trash bin for the smallest one our city provides. We actually didn't know about this until we had a local environmental group come by to audit our home for energy-water-waste. We make it a point to learn more about items that can be recycled and think twice before simply throwing something in the bin. Overall, I think we are on the up and up!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Family Discover Together

What concerns you the most about how we are affecting the planet? Consider both local and global actions.

Komal P 7/09/2019 12:08 PM

There are many things that concern me about how are choices affect the planet. Hearing how dis-concerning others are is one of them. Having conversations with family and friends is only the start to making informed decisions. We are constantly influenced by media in a consumerist society. Amongst all that, making choices to positively influence or impact our planet is important. Encouraging family to make to make small steps is important. One, recycling is a great place to start. Second, followed by using re-usable water bottles. Another example includes using re-usable bags or finding alternative uses for items instead of throwing out items. A lot stems from conversation and so keeping dialogue going is truly so very important.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Personal Care Lather Up

What are the economic and personal benefits of switching to bar soap/shampoo/conditioner or refillable bottle options?

Komal P 7/09/2019 11:56 AM

Let's just say a bar of soap (handmade and natural) feels fabulous on the skin, soft and moisturized , which eliminates having to use additional synthetic products along the way. A bar of soap leaves me feeling fresh and super clean! I've also noticed that a bar is less expensive, which my pocketbook appreciates. The same holds true for a bar of shampoo. A little bit goes a long way and I find its easier to wash out of my hair (which equals to less water use). All and so much to think about. I haven't used conditioner although I would like to add that to my list of things to try.
I've only recently learned about refillable bottle options so again, something to add to my list. I do believe having places available and somehow advertise that they provide refillable bottle options would be a great assistance in trying to go green. Till then, bars are my thing :)

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Volunteer in my Community

How does volunteering enhance your community and/or change your relationship with it?

Komal P 7/09/2019 11:45 AM

Volunteering for me is all about serving others. Over the last weekend, I had an opportunity to serve the community by cleaning a local prayer space. We focused on using cloth instead of paper towels and wiped down tables instead of throwing out tablecloths. There's a long way to go for growing green. Policy and funds seem to dictate what options are available. How to get around that is a conversation worth having. For now though, engaging in this experience allows me to appreciate kindness and generosity within the community. Here's to creating strong bonds and hopefully inspiring future generations.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use Reusable Bags

How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?

Komal P 7/09/2019 11:38 AM

Keeping re-usable bags in my trunk is key in helping me keep plastic bags out of the landfill. Its also surprisingly a challenging habit to acquire. Goes to show how much of a habit it is to get bags from grocery stores. I'm so glad that places are going green and in some ways forcing me to plan ahead. But that's what it really comes down to...being organized and planning ahead. There's another local grocery store that donates to local charities if we bring our own bags. What a win-win for everyone fabulous idea! I hope this habit becomes part of my lifestyle as it has become for my father. Next step for me having a conversation with him and asking what tricks of the trade he uses! Here's to finding ways!

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