Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2019

July 1 - July 31, 2019

Haley Wilson

"I will focus on the process itself, and remind myself that every action counts. I will be the Eco Hero I want us all to be and hopefully influence others to create better habits along the way!"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
902 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

34

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

16

plastic straws

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

30

disposable cups

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

1.0

zero-waste meal

consumed
UP TO

19

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

Haley'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?

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Start Composting

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Cook a Zero-Plastic Waste Meal

I will prepare 1 meal(s) at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Lifestyle

Travel Eating

If traveling, I will bring my own airplane snacks and eat at local restaurants to avoid take-out containers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family

Glass Bottle Baby

I will replace 2 plastic bottles with glass or stainless steel alternatives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family

Provide the Alternatives

I will provide daily plastic free alternatives (straws, water bottles, cuttlery, bar soap, bamboo toothbrushes, etc.) for my family to use.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Takeout Pro

I will use my own containers when ordering takeout.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Lather Up

I will replace my soaps, shampoos, and conditions with either a bar or refillable option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Pets

Try a Pet Shampoo Bar

I will replace my pet's shampoo with an eco-friendly shampoo bar.

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 12
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Haley Wilson 7/20/2019 10:07 AM
Has anyone found a good plastic free eyeliner? I don't wear much makeup, but this I can't go without. I ran out and have been almost a week with no makeup because I can't find anything good! I don't want to go back to my Cover Girl, but I don't know what to do!!!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

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?
Haley Wilson 7/20/2019 7:43 AM
We save a decent amount of waste going to the landfill and we are able to help a local farm in the process. With the home we live in, we aren't able to compost ourselves, but i could imagine the great things that would grow in such good soil!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle

Was this action easy or difficult to do? How did it change your travel experience?
Haley Wilson 7/20/2019 7:42 AM
This was easy at first but then harder when you aren't in charge of your meals. When your in-laws want to use their paper plates and bottled water and plastic, you don't make a very good first impression when you refuse or suggest other alternatives. It's about educating at the right time.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

How could you mitigate issues that may arise if the restaurant does not want to let you use your own containers at first?
Haley Wilson 7/20/2019 7:39 AM
Always be kind and seek to understand. If we can understand why they are hesitant, maybe we can put their fears at ease and educate at the same time.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Pets

In what ways does your pet make your life happier, more interesting, or more rewarding?
Haley Wilson 7/19/2019 5:40 AM
My dog, Maynard, is a selfless boy who is always happy. We call him the puppy of a thousand kisses (he will be 8 years old next month). He gets me out of the house and walking around. I don't have kids, but he helps me see the world with a child-like, or dog-like, wonder again. I love his snuggles and smooches and he is a true example of unconditional love.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle

What did you learn about the waste you create? Where can you reduce the most?
Haley Wilson 7/17/2019 6:10 AM
My family and I produce the most waste through our food. If we were better planners and less picky then we would have a much easier time reducing waste. Unfortunately, we have taste buds and cravings and that doesn't exactly come plastic free...

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

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?
Haley Wilson 7/16/2019 6:19 AM
I have noticed a large use of plastic unnecessarily. There are fruits and vegetables wrapped in plastic that definitely do not need to be. This has changed my recipes and the way i plan my meals. I have to be much for flexible when planning meals - open to change dependent on what's available.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

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?
Haley Wilson 7/12/2019 10:30 AM
I am really grateful that my work values reusable cups and mugs! I am able to make coffee and put it in my regular mug at work! This is a great first step but also makes me realize how far we have left to go.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

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?
Haley Wilson 7/03/2019 5:39 AM
Most of the single use plastics my family uses comes from food packaging. The convenience of just stopping in and getting something in its own container is too easy and it all comes from lack of preparedness and the desire to not want to make a fuss. I need to get better about having my containers and produce bags in my car and readily available to use. I have gotten this way with my shopping bags, i need to change my habits with the rest of my shopping - Rice, oats, peanuts, corn kernels. Also switching my snack foods to things that i can buy in the bulk bar instead of chips and other things in plastic. It's not easy, but we keep working on it!

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Haley Wilson 7/02/2019 3:15 PM
Thank you to Ward’s Supermarket for wrapping our steaks in paper! That plus a few ears of Gainesville corn and some fruit for dessert! I still feel like plastic is haunting me somewhere in this meal...

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