Cindy Woodruff

SF Teaching Zoo Zero Wasters

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,016 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

26

pieces of litter

picked up
UP TO

30

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

8.0

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill

Cindy's actions

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 1 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 26
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusable Bags

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

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Estimate Your Plastic Consumption and Go #PlasticNeutral

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

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Takeout Pro

I will use my own containers when ordering takeout.

COMPLETED 3
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 16
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?

Cindy Woodruff 7/31/2019 5:54 PM

I’m grateful for this month’s Eco Challenge. It’s been a privilege to share the journey with the SF College team! Maybe by next year, I will have even more challenging actions. I will continue to learn and change modify my habits.

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Cindy Woodruff 7/28/2019 6:21 PM

My husband and I have been taking our tote with dishes, utensils and mason jars to church lunches each Sunday this month. It’s given us a chance to talk about the Eco Challenge and SF Zoo’s part in getting us involved. One member brought her own collapsible bowl today because of it. Another agreed thought we should join the Eco Challenge next year as a church and use the metal utensils the church already has, and wash them. We might also bring out reusable glasses next year. It does mean more work and dishwashing, but it’s worth it!

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Cindy Woodruff 7/27/2019 6:08 PM

Today my husband joined me with our dog for a “clean-up” walk. I have paper grocery bags from previous months and have filled 1.5 bags total this week just walking a short stretch of Williston Road near where we live. The main challenges are mosquitoes and telling the dog to stop. He’s gotten the idea it’s part of his work day now! Oh...and this has made me realize our mid-size garbage container is now half full of others’ trash! That’s a lot! —- One thing we have done is cut way back on paper towel use. Dishrags, old towels and napkins work now just like they did when I was a kid. 😀

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use Reusable Bags

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

Cindy Woodruff 7/19/2019 6:45 PM

I may be stretching it, but I am interpreting this as no plastic bags. I did accept a paper bag for my meat in order to keep my tote clean. I could have brought a cloth! in general though, this challenge has made me much more aware of taking my reusable bags into a store, and I haven’t accidentally forgotten them in the last two weeks.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Estimate Your Plastic Consumption and Go #PlasticNeutral

What did you find out about your plastic consumption by using the calculator? What did or didn't surprise you?

Cindy Woodruff 7/13/2019 11:09 AM

I was very surprised at my consumption! It looks like I have a long way to go!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Skip the Straw

Have you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.

Cindy Woodruff 7/13/2019 10:42 AM

I’ve not actively watched other people in my community to see if they are or aren’t electing to skip straws. I do know at least three people who are carrying their own straws, and see my husband skipping straws when we go out.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Takeout Pro

How could you mitigate issues that may arise if the restaurant does not want to let you use your own containers at first?

Cindy Woodruff 7/12/2019 10:53 AM

I learned that it helps to go to the restaurant when it’s not during peak hours when asking to use my own “eating equipment”! I also have found my friends were interested in the eco challenge when I pulled out my tote bag with my silverware, etc.

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Cindy Woodruff 7/10/2019 7:29 PM

I had a little time before a meeting and have located where the Life Unplastic store is in Gainesville. Now to get there during business hours! I also hate to say that I accepted a plastic cup of water at the meeting. Next month, I will bring snacks and drinks and can choose more eco friendly items.

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Cindy Woodruff 7/07/2019 6:17 PM

This is my first year doing the eco challenge. Every small step is a win! A friend at church told me that Target sells mesh produce bags. Yes, they are polyester, but they will last by the looks of them. I purchased a pack of 5. I also asked my husband to look for mayo in a glass jar. He found a small one at Publix. Perfect size for picnics when traveling!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use Reusable Containers

How can you think outside the box (or bag!) when it comes to disposables?

Cindy Woodruff 7/06/2019 4:13 PM

Microwave baked potatoes don’t need plastic wrap to be delicious. A simple glass container works well. We also invested in reusable covers to replace plastic wrap. Every little bit helps!

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