Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2019

July 1 - July 31, 2019

Celeste Tolbert

GreenWorks

"Reduce, reduce, reduce my single-use plastic consumption while encouraging others to join me. "

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,266 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

1.0

documentary

watched
UP TO

90

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

118

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

63

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

1.0

waste audit

conducted

Celeste's actions

Personal Care

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors. Why not try using hair conditioner instead of shaving foam for that baby smooth feel?

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME 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 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Use Reusable Bags

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

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Share My Actions

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 10
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

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 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Community

Visit A Waste Management Facility

I will visit a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about the waste stream.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Food

Takeout Pro

I will use my own containers when ordering takeout.

COMPLETED 11
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 Advocate For More Food Packaging Options

Single use plastics have become normalized in our society to the point that most people don't see them as a problem. What would you say to a friend, colleague, or family member who may not understand why these disposables are an issue?

Celeste Tolbert 7/31/2019 5:08 PM

I am disappointed that I did not get to this one. I do have ideas of who to contact and what I want to say. The year is not over. There are some great documentaries. I think if we could use some of that content or even watch them together, it would generate communication. The biggest statement I know currently is...we use dishes, cups, straws, bottles for 5 minutes and then throw it away. Is that wise? I did give someone a stainless straw. They used one at my house and loved it. I had an extra one to give to someone. It was perfect that they received it, because they use straws all the time due to sensitive teeth.

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Celeste Tolbert 7/31/2019 5:03 PM

I am signing out on the last day of Plastic EcoChallenge. 30 days make a habit. I have gone from using approximately 7 plastic produce bags and 5 plastic grocery bags at minimum a week to zero! I have not touched plastic wrap in 31 days! I take my washable water bottle with me wherever I go. I take my coffee cup when I want coffee and they do not have washable cups. There are more things too, but enough is said to make the point. It is amazing what a little focus and practicing with many other EcoChallengers does for the soul! Thank you for pushing me to take note and to change. The earth is a sparkling treasure.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Host a House Party

What are the benefits of hosting a house party related to getting to know your guests, connecting them to the cause you are focusing on, and building your community?

Celeste Tolbert 7/31/2019 4:57 PM

I am planning to do this with some friends before the year is done. I want to share what I have learned. I continuing sharing with friends. I model good practices with them and turn down some things...not making a big deal out of it, but just practicing what needs to be. Friends can influence friends.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Visit A Waste Management Facility

Landfills and recycling centers tell us a lot about our communities and purchasing habits. What did you glean from your visit?

Celeste Tolbert 7/31/2019 4:55 PM

So I wanted to do this, but it did not happen in July. I am hoping to do this before the summers end. I have visited landfills before and have even done environmental work at landfills. It is an overpowering sight to see so much garbage from one city. An incredible amount of work goes into making sure the material does not leach into soil. We could all do better. Land will not always exist where we can cover it with garbage and still protect our waterways.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle Complete a Waste Audit

What did you learn about the waste you create? Where can you reduce the most?

Celeste Tolbert 7/31/2019 4:51 PM

I was a bit shocked at the paper towels! We had a gathering here and so things were a bit less normal. Still. Food containers for ice cream and popcorn, tea bag wrappers and bread wrappers, also receipts from grocery. We should be able to compost a few of the items. And once again I will be posting my waste online. Yikes. All month we have posted our plastic waste. It is not my fav thing to do. All in all, it is not terrible for one week of trash.

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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?

Celeste Tolbert 7/30/2019 6:33 PM

This is a difficult question, because corporations are considered to have the rights of a single entity and protected by law. Sometimes the best way to counteract is to spread the word and then let your dollars speak for you. In other words, expose their deeds and then boycott their products. It is similar to the clothing industry. Do not buy from companies that are abusing their employees.
What I do not understand is why we limit our conversation to water? What about all that soda and juices and teas. The problem is single use plastic beverage containers!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use Reusable Containers

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

Celeste Tolbert 7/30/2019 6:09 PM

I have stopped using paper/plastic plates and also disposable cups. There is the very, very rare occasion when I might break down (once in 5 years). Our creation care team has advocated stainless straws to our congregation. To go coffee used to be a guilt trip, but businesses generally fill your cup. It is good to use things that can be washed—such as stainless skewers rather than colorful plastic throwaways. Using larger containers that seal to store items that need to be covered has become my norm during this challenge. There is much to still work out.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Takeout Pro

How could you mitigate issues that may arise if the restaurant does not want to let you use your own containers at first?

Celeste Tolbert 7/30/2019 5:49 PM

They could serve them on restaurant dishes and let you scoop them into your own containers. There is an issue of germs. I was shocked recently when the airport would not let my cup be filled with coffee. They had to give it to me in their disposable cup. No arguing that issue. The employees only had one option. But, you could accept it in their cup without the plastic lid and transfer it into your own cup.

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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?

Celeste Tolbert 7/30/2019 5:43 PM

Bulk food is generally a little better. My most frequent things to buy bulk are various nuts, sometimes chocolate, and oatmeal. The oatmeal from the bulk section is exceptional! I had not thought about using a glass jar and providing the tare. This is a great idea. Jars are the best to use, but I was not sure if the grocery would accept it. They have gladly done the bags though. In the next few weeks I will explore other items that we use regularly.
I think people avoid the bulk because they have to make an effort to bag and mark it. They may think it is not as fresh too. But they do buy the plastic tubs of items from bulk?! Earth Fare has a couple of nice bulk sections...dry goods, spices, teas, etc.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Personal Care That Was a Close Shave

What have you noticed about the economic and social impact of switching to steel razors? Was there ever really a need for disposable razors, or do you think it was just a way to sell more things?

Celeste Tolbert 7/29/2019 6:02 PM

First, I never thought about the plastic in the razor or the blades. I do try to use the life out of it, because they are so expensive. It is shocking how many crazy razors and blades there are in different plastic colors, etc. And it has bugged me that first it was twin, then triple, all the way up to five blades. I am all for businesses innovating and improving, but it has gone overboard in many areas. Also, I detest too many choices. I am one of those who will walk away if the choices are too much.

I am pleasantly surprised that the metal system is going to be less expensive overall. And I bet I can use the used up blades on house projects too! I do think the stainless razor is a bit heavier for flying, but otherwise it is superb!

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