Ashley Mars

Virginia Zoo (non)Plastics

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
253 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

39

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

270

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

6.0

pieces of litter

picked up
UP TO

3.0

documentaries

watched
UP TO

8.0

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Ashley's actions

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.

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

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

Food

Use Reusable Water Bottles

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Keep My Community Clean

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

COMPLETED 6
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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Pretty oh so Pretty

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

UNCOMPLETED
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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

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 8
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
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?

Ashley Mars 7/15/2019 9:14 AM

It's unbelievable the amount of packaging you see at the grocery store. I especially can't get over the bread that is packed in two plastic bags! It makes shopping much more difficult when you're trying to eliminate single-use plastics. You get get a lot more dirty looks when you don't put any of your produce in the plastic bags and get the checkout scanner and cart wet :)

Read More
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?

Ashley Mars 7/11/2019 5:26 AM

When I traveled for the holiday I brought my own travel size containers - which mean I was able to bring my favorite non-animal-tested body products!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Keep My Community Clean

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

Ashley Mars 7/02/2019 2:48 PM

By picking up litter I'm helping make the community a better place for my friends, family and future generations. I also think when others see me picking up trash it sets a good example.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use Reusable Containers

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

Ashley Mars 7/01/2019 8:13 PM

I make my own salad dressings at home and use a reusable glass container to store it in the fridge and smaller reusable plastic containers to transport to work.

Read More