Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2019

July 1 - July 31, 2019

Rachel Granruth

"Adopt even more sustainable practices in my personal life, and continue to encourage and support others in their efforts to do the same."

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,029 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

11

zero-waste meals

consumed
UP TO

55

pieces of litter

picked up
UP TO

8.0

conversations

with people
UP TO

18

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

1.0

donation

made
UP TO

60

pieces of plastic cutlery

not sent to the landfill

Rachel's actions

Food

Advocate For More Food Packaging Options

I will advocate for alternatives to single use packaging at local grocery stores, markets, or work.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Takeout Pro

I will use my own containers when ordering takeout.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY 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 11
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

Watch a Documentary

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

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Raise Money For a Nonprofit

I will raise money to support a nonprofit dedicated to plastic pollution reduction.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 5 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Lather Up

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family

Swap the Snacks

I will swap out 1 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Plant a Garden

I will plant an herb or vegetable garden in my home, workplace, or community garden

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

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?

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Lobby for Reusables

I will lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Food

Use Reusable Utensils

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

COMPLETED 30
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?

REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle Travel Smart

How can/did you prepare to be successful in this action? Did you engage in conversation with anyone about your new habit?

Rachel Granruth 7/31/2019 4:20 PM

It was very easy for me to bring all of the reusable items. The hard part was convincing my family that we needed to use the items instead of paper plates, plastic bags, and plastic cups. I convinced them that I would do any dishes we created and I would bring all bags/cups/containers with us places for everyone to use. It was hard because my family didn’t really understand why I cared so much and they actually felt like I was telling them they are bad people for not trying as hard as I do. I want them to change their ways, but they don’t listen too much because it hurts their pride. It’s has definitely been difficult, but I just try to do what I can and hope they let me.

Read More
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?

Rachel Granruth 7/31/2019 4:10 PM

I would explain to them I just don’t want to use the single-use plastic or styrofoam containers when I have my own reusable ones. I could tell them that it would cost them less money in the long run. If they have a problem because of sanitation, I’d ask them to just put everything on one of their plates and I’d transfer it myself. If they even refuse after all of that I honestly would tell them that I’ll just have to take my business elsewhere.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Plant a Garden

Besides having access to fresh herbs and vegetables, what benefits will you see from growing your own garden?

Rachel Granruth 7/31/2019 4:04 PM

Growing my own herbs allows me to avoid buying pre-packaged herbs from the grocery store. Over time it will save a lot of plastic and energy from packaging and transportation.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Family Swap the Snacks

How does swapping out prepackaged snacks for fresh fruit or veggies benefit your family?

Rachel Granruth 7/31/2019 3:29 PM

I loved doing this challenge this month. I don’t eat fruit very often, but in order to do this challenge I ate fruit lots of days this month and I really enjoyed having the cool snack on hot days at work. I will continue bringing fruit to work as snack from now on!

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Keep My Community Clean

How does the act of picking up litter connect you more to your community?

Rachel Granruth 7/31/2019 3:27 PM

Picking up trash is something I’ve always tried to do, but it’s not always the easiest to want to do if I don’t have a trash can nearby or a way to wash my hands. However doing it this month has shown me that it’s such a simple thing to do that can have a big impact.

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Rachel Granruth 7/25/2019 8:05 PM

I think it’s really great to see all the ways the zoo is trying to be more sustainable and reduce our single-use plastics. I hope to help the zoo continue to make more changes, because I believe that zoos should be the first to address issues of sustainability and educate others by example.

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Rachel Granruth 7/25/2019 7:52 PM

This morning for the Town Hall meeting I brought my own coffee cup with sugar and creamer from home so I wouldn’t be using the little individually packaged sugars and creamers. I also brought my own to-go container instead of using one of the plastic ones. It only took a few extra seconds of planning this morning, but it saved quite a bit of plastic. I feel like that really is how easy most of the changes are when it comes to single use plastic!

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Rachel Granruth 7/02/2019 6:03 PM

Cooked a super yummy zero-plastic and zero-waste meal tonight - vegetable stir fry!

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Rachel Granruth 7/01/2019 8:54 PM

I’m super excited to find more ways to be sustainable in my daily life. I’m even more excited to hear about others who are doing some of these things for the first time and deciding to keep up with them even after July!

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