Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2019

July 1 - July 31, 2019

Caryn Neumann

Columbus Zoo Community

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
222 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

10

hours

volunteered
UP TO

90

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

12

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

4.0

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

6.0

zero-waste meals

consumed

Caryn's actions

Food

Start Composting

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Brusha Brusha Brusha

I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.

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

Community

Volunteer in my Community

I will volunteer 10 hour(s) in my community.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Pets

Rubber Glove Pet Hair Removal

I will use a rubber glove to remove pet hair from clothes, carpets and furniture.

COMPLETED 4
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

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 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusable Water Bottles

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 3 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusable Bags

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

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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

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
Personal Care Brusha Brusha Brusha

What are the benefits of switching to bamboo toothbrushes? How would you implore others in your community to make this switch as well?

Caryn Neumann 7/15/2019 10:17 AM

There seem to be more downsides than upsides, except when considering the impact on the environment. Plastic ones are free from the dentist, have great design etc. I think it would be easier to persuade people to use bamboo chopsticks, which also helps the environment.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Pets Rubber Glove Pet Hair Removal

We know you want to - tell us about why your pet is so awesome!

Caryn Neumann 7/15/2019 10:14 AM

A rubber brush is easier to use repeatedly than a rubber glove. The cats also like the massage when it is used on them.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use Reusable Water Bottles

Using the links provided, investigate the bottling practices of water corporations. There have been many cases where the water rights of the local people have been violated or even completely disregarded when a corporation decides to bottle water from a particular water source. How can you advocate for those who have been harmed by this bottling process?

Caryn Neumann 7/15/2019 10:13 AM

I don't think this is the best question to persuade people to use reusable bottles. A better one is to point out that water from the tap has less contaminants than bottled water, as Fiji Water learned to its embarrassment when it mocked the quality of Cleveland, Ohio municipal water.

Read More
REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Volunteer in my Community

How does volunteering enhance your community and/or change your relationship with it?

Caryn Neumann 7/10/2019 6:52 AM

I feel more connected to Columbus and I have met great friends through volunteering.

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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?

Caryn Neumann 7/10/2019 6:51 AM

Growing my own herbs means that I save a lot of money.

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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?

Caryn Neumann 7/10/2019 6:49 AM

I wasn't in a grocery but a boutique. I had to argue with two clerks who were insistent on wrapping a ceramic item in bubble wrap, despite the fact that I had an alternative wrap.

Read More