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Michael O'Neil's avatar

Michael O'Neil

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

"Making sure my grandkids still have a good life here on earth"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 903 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    66
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    44
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    90
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    22
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    44
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    donation
    made
  • UP TO
    1.0
    waste audit
    conducted

Michael's 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 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusable Bags

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

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusables at Work

I will use reusable dishes and silverware when eating at work.

COMPLETED 22
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use a Reusable Mug / Collapsible Cup

I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own collapsible cup.

COMPLETED 22
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 22
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Raise Money For a Nonprofit

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

COMPLETED
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

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.

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

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 Lather Up
    What are the economic and personal benefits of switching to bar soap/shampoo/conditioner or refillable bottle options?

    Michael O'Neil's avatar
    Michael O'Neil 7/16/2019 7:22 AM
    I have sensitive skin- so I never use body wash anyway- this was my cheat/easy challenge
  • 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?

    Michael O'Neil's avatar
    Michael O'Neil 7/16/2019 7:21 AM
    I bought a multi pack- so I am probably good for a year. The bristles are different- but not bad- a little adjustment and I think the eco-friendly outweighs the adjustment period
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Lifestyle Watch a Documentary
    Which documentary did you choose to watch? What did you learn?

    Michael O'Neil's avatar
    Michael O'Neil 7/16/2019 7:20 AM
    I actually streamed a bunch on youtube- learning about which countries have the biggest waste, how it is impacting our oceans and lands. Learning about green living- and how much healthier it is for our bodies to be mindful of what is in our homes
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Lifestyle Complete a Waste Audit
    What did you learn about the waste you create? Where can you reduce the most?

    Michael O'Neil's avatar
    Michael O'Neil 7/16/2019 7:19 AM
    Buying more natural foods will make a big impact- but also my cleaning supplies waste more than I like
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Use Reusables at Work
    It is often true that we only have control over our own actions and not the collective community. How can you lead by example when it comes to switching disposables for reusable dishes in your community?

    Michael O'Neil's avatar
    Michael O'Neil 7/16/2019 7:18 AM
    our office is pretty good about having their own containers brought in for lunch
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Skip the Straw
    Have you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.

    Michael O'Neil's avatar
    Michael O'Neil 7/16/2019 7:17 AM
    paper straws are beginning to make their way into more food establishments- but you still see far too many plastic straws
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Raise Money For a Nonprofit
    What are organizations in your region doing to address plastic pollution or other related issues? How can you support them?

    Michael O'Neil's avatar
    Michael O'Neil 7/16/2019 7:16 AM
    IMy company donates to various clean up efforts and has a road adopted in our community
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Use a Reusable Mug / Collapsible Cup
    Great job on getting rid of your disposable cup habit! How does it make you feel? What's next on your list to reduce your waste?

    Michael O'Neil's avatar
    Michael O'Neil 7/16/2019 7:15 AM
    gifting some reusable cups to co-workers
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food Use Reusable Bags
    How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?

    Michael O'Neil's avatar
    Michael O'Neil 7/16/2019 7:14 AM
    remembering to put the bags back in the car- but I prefer the bigger bags- they hold more and I can easily carry everything in the house with one trip
  • 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?

    Michael O'Neil's avatar
    Michael O'Neil 7/16/2019 7:13 AM
    keep an eye on the laws and proposals within your community