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Barbara Clark's avatar

Barbara Clark

Maryland Zoo

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,206 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    155
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    14
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    9.0
    petitions
    signed
  • UP TO
    18
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    19
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    waste audit
    conducted

Barbara's actions

Community

Sign a Petition

I will sign a petition in support of a plastic-related initiative in my state/province.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Just Say No

I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polycarbonate, polystyrene and polyvinyl.

COMPLETED 8
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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Travel Smart

If traveling, I will bring my own plastic free items (water bottle, grocery bags, collapsible food containers, utensils, straws, etc.) with me.

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

Pets

Invest in a Pooper-Scooper

I will swap out my single use plastic bags for a pooper-scooper.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 3 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusable Bags

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

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Pets

Pet Waste

I will spend 60 minutes learning how to compost pet waste at home or research pet waste composting services available in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Use a Reusable Mug / Collapsible Cup

I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own collapsible cup.

COMPLETED 14
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

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

Personal Care

Pretty oh so Pretty

I will purchase beauty products that are packaged in sustainable packaging.

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?


  • Barbara Clark's avatar
    Barbara Clark 7/31/2019 5:55 PM
    Participating in the Ecochallenge the last month has been a great experience.  I’ve definitely developed some habits I will continue and have a different perspective on the issue of plastic waste, as well as disposal and processing of other waste sent to landfills.  I’d like to thank the Maryland Zoo for inviting me to participate.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Personal Care Lather Up
    What are the economic and personal benefits of switching to bar soap/shampoo/conditioner or refillable bottle options?

    Barbara Clark's avatar
    Barbara Clark 7/31/2019 5:00 AM
    I purchased Ethique shampoo and conditioner bars, which I really like. The packaging contains no plastic and prevents the use of plastic bottles. The water in liquid shampoo and conditioner greatly increase both the volume and weight of the product, which contributes to transportation costs and the amount of plastic packaging.

  • Barbara Clark's avatar
    Barbara Clark 7/31/2019 4:37 AM
    I’m disappointed I haven’t found a viable solution to pet waste disposal.  I purchased recyclable bags to use once I’ve used other bags I already have.  I know it’s not a good solution, but I’m user fewer bags when home.  I purchased a Doggie Doo Drain that I haven’t been able to install yet.  

    • Barbara Clark's avatar
      Barbara Clark 7/31/2019 10:46 AM
      Yes, that’s what I meant by recyclable, I should have written compostable.  The problem with that is, they’re put inside another trash bag that isn’t compostable.  From what I’ve read it isn’t likely they will actually decompose.  

    • MC Mandolia's avatar
      MC Mandolia 7/31/2019 10:25 AM
      Have you considered buying compostable dog waste bags?

  • Barbara Clark's avatar
    Barbara Clark 7/31/2019 4:21 AM
    Often when declining single use plastic bags in stores, if the cashier seemed surprised,  I would say I couldn’t use a bag, it was plastic free July.  I found it made it easier for me to ingrain the habit.



  • Barbara Clark's avatar
    Barbara Clark 7/31/2019 4:13 AM
    I have a greater awareness of the need to reduce plastic use since participating in the Challenge.

  • Barbara Clark's avatar
    Barbara Clark 7/31/2019 4:02 AM
    Before the Challenge I was aware of the connection between the fossil fuel industry and climate change, but not so much, the connection to plastic production.  Instead of providing taxpayer subsidies to create more waste we should be subsidizing industries to reduce it.

  • Barbara Clark's avatar
    Barbara Clark 7/29/2019 6:26 AM
    Since participating in the Challenge I’m consistently using reusable bags when grocery shopping and have started using my SodaStream everyday. 

  • Barbara Clark's avatar
    Barbara Clark 7/26/2019 6:51 AM
    I received two packages from the DermStore yesterday that contained an inflated plastic wrapping, “AirWave”, previously,  paper packing had always been used.  I emailed the company this morning and requested they use more eco-friendly packaging.  Participating in the Challenge has made me aware of the importance of contacting companies concerning their practices in situations like this.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Personal Care Pretty oh so Pretty
    How can you advocate for the importance of reducing packaging to the rest of your friends, family and larger community?

    Barbara Clark's avatar
    Barbara Clark 7/24/2019 3:05 PM
    Lead by example and when the situation presents itself, engage in conversations about what I’m doing to reduce waste.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Keep My Community Clean
    How does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?

    Barbara Clark's avatar
    Barbara Clark 7/24/2019 3:01 PM
    I realize the need to become more involved in encouraging the adoption of practices to create less waste.