Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2019

July 1 - July 31, 2019

Debbie Milligan

Dallas Zoo and Children's Aquarium at Fair Park

"RUM!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
800 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

20

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

1.0

community event

hosted or attended
UP TO

50

zero-waste meals

consumed
UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

10

conversations

with people
UP TO

26

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

1.0

donation

made
UP TO

150

pieces of plastic cutlery

not sent to the landfill

Debbie's actions

Food

Shop the Bulk Bins

I will purchase dry goods from the bulk section of my grocery store, and use my own containers to do so.

COMPLETED 25
DAILY ACTIONS

Pets

DIY Cat Litter

I will swap out my cat's litter for sawdust, mulch, and dirt with baking soda.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Cook a Zero-Plastic Waste Meal

I will prepare 2 meal(s) at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

COMPLETED 25
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 25
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 25
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Start Composting

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

COMPLETED
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

Host a House Party

I will host a house party with friends and/or colleagues to watch a movie or present a guest speaker on plastics.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family

Thoughtful Toys

I will only buy cloth, wooden or plant-based natural rubber toys. Or make our own toys from recycled items found in our home!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lifestyle

Homemade Cleaners

I will make my own cleaning products at home.

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

Personal Care

Dam the Flow

I will use a menstrual cup and/or cloth pads

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Pets

Pet Waste

I will spend 20 minutes learning how to compost pet waste at home or research pet waste composting services available in my area.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Back in the Bowl

I will purchase refillable beauty products.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 6 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 25
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?

Debbie Milligan 7/31/2019 11:33 AM

And another Plastic Free July is done! See you next year.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Family Thoughtful Toys

Does your child play differently with natural or repurposed toys than with other toys? If so, how?

Debbie Milligan 7/31/2019 11:32 AM

I don't have a kid, but when I purchase for gifts I try to find items that are natural colored and made of natural products.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Cook a Zero-Plastic Waste Meal

Do an inventory of your kitchen to see how many single-use plastics you've used in the past. What are some resuable alternatives to these commonly used products? What would your impact be if you switched all the single-use products from your inventory to reusable?

Debbie Milligan 7/31/2019 11:31 AM

I actually don't use a lot of single use plastics. I try to buy in bulk or items that come in paper bags/boxes.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use Reusable Containers

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

Debbie Milligan 7/31/2019 11:30 AM

I checked with my local Sprouts to see if I can take my jars in so I don't have to use disposible bags.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle Homemade Cleaners

What did you learn by making your own cleaning products? What is the biggest difference in making vs buying?

Debbie Milligan 7/31/2019 11:29 AM

I like finding what kind of cleaners I can make so I don't have to use bleach.

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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?

Debbie Milligan 7/31/2019 11:27 AM

Leading by example. Take your reuseable bags with you whenever you shop.

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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?

Debbie Milligan 7/28/2019 7:49 AM

I notice it flying all over our streets, is what I notice. People are less likely to let something they have purchased fly away.

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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?

Debbie Milligan 7/28/2019 7:48 AM

I have healthier nutrients to add to my plants that benefit my soil.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Shop the Bulk Bins

How has buying bulk impacted the quality of the food you receive? Why do you think Western society relies more on prepackaged foods rather than buying in bulk?

Debbie Milligan 7/28/2019 7:47 AM

Prepackaged in convenient, period. I enjoy buying bulk because it drops food waste and I can store it in glass containers which is healthier for me.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use Reusable Utensils

How can you be an advocate for using resusables instead of disposables for the rest of your community? Where are they currently dependent on disposable cutlery, and how can you convince them of the need for change?

Debbie Milligan 7/28/2019 7:46 AM

I bring my bamboo cutlery to my part time job, where I bring a packed lunch, and have had people ask about it and where they could get their own. I view that as a positive.

Read More