Join the movement to refuse single-use plastics with Plastic Free EcoChallenge!

Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2019

July 1 - July 31, 2019

Across the Waters Feed

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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
Lifestyle Watch a Documentary

Which documentary did you choose to watch? What did you learn?

Laurieann Phalen 7/31/2019 3:37 AM

I watched a documentary on where our plastic wastes go - to third world countries. It was heartbreaking to see children and women being exposed to such dangerous working conditions - and earning pennies per day.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle Travel Smart

How can/did you prepare to be successful in this action? Did you engage in conversation with anyone about your new habit?

Laurieann Phalen 7/31/2019 3:35 AM

Traveling smart involves mapping out a plan/strategy.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle Travel Toiletries

What is the benefit of using bar soaps or refilling your travel sized containers? Is this an action you think you will keep in your life?

Laurieann Phalen 7/31/2019 3:33 AM

First, it is much less expensive - and once you buy travel sized containers, you don't have to keep consuming small bottles - hopefully the market for them will decrease.

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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?

Laurieann Phalen 7/31/2019 3:31 AM

I became deathly allergic to the artificial fragrances in cleaning products, so I had to learn how to make my own. Making is much less expensive, and you have control over what you are exposing your body to.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle Natural Fibers

What are the benefits (to people, animals, and the environment) of purchasing clothes made with natural fibers?

Laurieann Phalen 7/31/2019 3:30 AM

Sustainability is the benefit to purchasing clothes made of natural fibers.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use Reusable Containers

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

Laurieann Phalen 7/31/2019 3:29 AM

If you have to use disposables, make sure they are biodegradable.

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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?

Laurieann Phalen 7/31/2019 3:28 AM

The best way to advocate for the rights of others is through education, and respecting the point of view of others - even if you think they are not right.

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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?

Laurieann Phalen 7/31/2019 3:26 AM

The best way to make a difference is through education.

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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.

Laurieann Phalen 7/31/2019 3:26 AM

Some restaurants do not offer straws and you have to ask for them. A sad thing is that while people know about straws & sea turtles, they will use a straw and make a joke about killing a sea turtle.

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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?

Laurieann Phalen 7/31/2019 3:24 AM

Education is always the place to start when advocating the use of an item in place of an existing one. The university where I work uses disposables - and due to cost and convenience, it will be a hard sell for them to make a switch.

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