Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2019

Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

July 1 - July 31, 2019

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Niki Kranz 7/20/2020 4:57 AM
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food

How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?
Niki Kranz 7/20/2020 4:53 AM
I had to learn to remember always taking a bag with me. My solution: crocheting a couple of totes and keeping one in all the bags I usually have with me. Additionally, free cotton bags were distributed in the city center and I accepted two, so the whole family has enough bags all the time.

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Nidhi Kaul 7/31/2019 5:30 PM
As this month's challenge comes to an end, I want to mention all of the eco-friendly swaps I've done in case it inspires others:
- plastic to go cutlery --> bamboo To Go Ware
- plastic shampoo bottle --> Lush shampoo bar
- plastic razor --> Merkur safety razor + double edge safety razor blade refills (which are recyclable)
- plastic sanitary pads --> P.I.M.P. cloth pads
- plastic-packaged face moisturizer --> glass jar
- plastic H2O bottles --> S'well bottle
- disposable Ziplog bags --> reusable Stasher bags
- plastic phone case --> Pela "Lead the Way" phone case
- makeup remover --> coconut oil from a glass jar
- compostable paper cups --> reusable steel mug (reuse > rot!)
- plastic-packaged deodorant --> Schmidt's glass jar deo (note: this doesn't work for everyone, baking soda is an irritant...)
- disposable perfume bottle --> reusable Atlier Cologne bottle
- roommates used to trash food waste --> added a compost bin in kitchen, I empty it daily
- fabric freshener --> compostable cedar rings in my closet
- purchasing sauerkraut --> making my own
- plastic loofah --> luffa-based sponge
- paper/plastic bags @ grocery stores --> bring reusable cloth bags
- single use paper towels --> reusable paper towels (even better would be cloth towels; will get there one day)
- not upgrading my phone unless absolutely necessary (still hanging onto my iPhone 6)
- not shopping for clothing/accessories unless absolutely necessary (borrowing/clothing swaps, anyone?)
To be fair, not all of these swaps have happened only over the past 30 days - it's taken the past 365 days to do all of these. But I believe every small step that you take should be celebrated. So congrats to all of us!
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- Dana Jennings 8/02/2019 2:38 PM
  Thanks for this recap and all the inspiration you're bringing!
  
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Nidhi Kaul 7/31/2019 5:05 PM
***On the topic of waste***

My family grew up in India (where TP is a foreign concept), and they have been suggesting for years that I switch from TP to a bidet.

Last month I went to the doctor's office, and she also recommended I switch.

Then yesterday, I started receiving targeted Instagram ads from Tushy, a new bidet attachment brand. Seemed like fate, right?

Unfortunately, living with roommates means that I need to take their opinions into consideration as well... and they aren't so convinced.

However, once I get my own bathroom next year, I plan on investing (and thereby decreasing by paper & plastic waste... no pun intended!) I encourage you to think of the same, for both health & eco benefits.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

How does volunteering enhance your community and/or change your relationship with it?
Nidhi Kaul 7/31/2019 4:58 PM
It brings me a lot closer to the cause I fight so fiercely for.

Sometimes it is easy get disheartened about sustainability (plastic is everywhere you look) and detach myself mentally from a cause that I care so deeply about.

Going to volunteer events re-energizes me; surrounding myself with people who are more passionate and accomplished than I am in this field motivates me to do more...and be a better global citizen.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

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?
Nidhi Kaul 7/31/2019 4:55 PM
I had a "house party" with two of my roommates (whom I never see - so they were very much like guests) and we watched The True Cost. It was a terrifying and upsetting documentary about human rights violations and environmental costs when it comes to clothing manufacturing / "fast fashion." One of my roommates, who is an avid Old Navy and H&M shopper, was shocked to see the kinds of living conditions the workers in Bangladesh have to suffer through. It made her understand why I am such a "hippie" when it comes to reducing my clothing expenses and only investing in quality sustainable pieces from Madewell, Grocery Apparel, Everlane, Karen Kane, and Eileen Fisher.

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Uma Mulakala 7/31/2019 7:08 AM
Been go great keeping myself accountable everyday!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community

What is a plastic-related issue in your state/province?
Uma Mulakala 7/30/2019 7:13 AM
Plastic bags are creating immense land fills

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Chris Carini 7/30/2019 12:43 AM
One day left everyone!! Almost there!

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Chris Carini 7/30/2019 12:42 AM
One day left everyone!! Almost there!

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