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Cathy Kane's avatar

Cathy Kane

Zoo New England

"To change the way I think about disposable plastics"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,214 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    62
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    204
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    65
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    2.0
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    403
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    31
    pieces of plastic cutlery
    not sent to the landfill

Cathy's actions

Food

Start Composting

I will start a compost collection at home, work, or school.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Share My Actions

I will make my environmental actions visible by posting to my social media networks.

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

Personal Care

Brusha Brusha Brusha

I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family

Swap the Snacks

I will swap out 6 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Family

Discover Together

I will spend 30 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family

Provide the Alternatives

I will provide daily plastic free alternatives (straws, water bottles, cuttlery, bar soap, bamboo toothbrushes, etc.) for my family to use.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Family

Plastic Free Lunch Boxes

I will only pack reusable cutlery, drinkware and tupperware-like containers in my children's lunches to reduce plastic waste.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Pets

Homemade Pet Food/Treats

I will prepare my own pet food and treats to avoid plastic packaging.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Skip the Straw

I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY 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

Family

Natural Paints

I will paint rooms in my home with low/no VOC or natural paints.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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?


  • Cathy Kane's avatar
    Cathy Kane 7/31/2019 9:37 AM
    Amazing Team Effort.  #2.  Wow.

  • Cathy Kane's avatar
    Cathy Kane 7/30/2019 6:13 AM
    I am a little sad this is ending, but it has truly made me think of everything I use every day.  

  • Cathy Kane's avatar
    Cathy Kane 7/25/2019 6:25 AM
    I joined because it was a great kickstart to recycling more with my family.  I have been pushing this more and more, but this made me really hold them all accountable. 
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Start Composting
    Do an inventory of how much food waste you would save from going to the landfill if you start composting all of the time. What are the added benefits of having compost that is readily accessible?

    Cathy Kane's avatar
    Cathy Kane 7/25/2019 6:23 AM
    Yes.  My husband has taken the lead on this.  We never had a garbage disposal, so we separate recyclables, and compost leaving very little trash.  
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Lifestyle Natural Fibers
    What are the benefits (to people, animals, and the environment) of purchasing clothes made with natural fibers?

    Cathy Kane's avatar
    Cathy Kane 7/25/2019 6:22 AM
    Supply and demand. If we buy more materials with natural fibers, there will be a higher demand, decreasing other materials. 

    • Erica Farrell's avatar
      Erica Farrell 7/25/2019 8:47 AM
      It’s also great to reuse!  So many like-new clothes at the thrift stores!!!

  • Cathy Kane's avatar
    Cathy Kane 7/24/2019 6:21 AM
    So close! 3rd place. We are like the little engine that could.

  • Cathy Kane's avatar
    Cathy Kane 7/23/2019 7:26 AM
    We are so close to being in third place and I feel like we are all doing so much good with every challenge completed.  :)


  • Cathy Kane's avatar
    Cathy Kane 7/22/2019 2:17 PM
    We had a graduation party over the weekend and we put out recycle bins, one for cans, one for plastic forks/spoons and plates and then a garbage can. I can't believe how light the garbage was since we recycled the plates and silverware. 
  • 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?

    Cathy Kane's avatar
    Cathy Kane 7/18/2019 12:56 PM
    I felt like I was doing a really good job but I was surprised to see I need even more effort especially from my family.

    • Erica Farrell's avatar
      Erica Farrell 7/21/2019 7:20 AM
      Reflection is key. Before plastic free July last year, I thought I was doing a terrific job at being green. Little did I know there were endless ways for me and my family to improve!!  And there still is!!!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Share My Actions
    In what ways is social media an effective tool for sharing your values?

    Cathy Kane's avatar
    Cathy Kane 7/18/2019 12:55 PM
    It is the best way to communicate with my friends and family when my schedule is busy. I feel like you are much more honest behind a keyboard.