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

Nashville Zoo 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
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?

Barb Blades 8/05/2019 12:58 PM

If you think about it, what kind of chemicals are you putting in your mouth everyday from the plastic. Would it be so hard to change if it would help the environment? Maybe if more people made the change maybe big corporations would jump on it and think, "hey I can get more business if I offer bamboo"?

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Lifestyle Naked Bins

Does changing the lining of your waste bin change the kind or amount of trash you produce?

Barb Blades 8/05/2019 12:52 PM

yes it does! I have to think about the things I'm throwing away and why I have them in the first place that I would not want to put them in a paper liner.
Now I rethink when I buy how I would dispose of certain items. I use the local recycle plant for items I would never throw away-light bulbs, batteries and such.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Estimate Your Plastic Consumption and Go #PlasticNeutral

What did you find out about your plastic consumption by using the calculator? What did or didn't surprise you?

Barb Blades 8/05/2019 12:45 PM

I was surprised how much I actually use. I thought, because I recycle, that I was doing great. I'm doing good but, can do much better. On something's I did better than I thought. I know more now and am willing to make necessary changes to help our environment.

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Barb Blades 8/05/2019 12:28 PM

I joined the challenge to see how much more I can make a difference. There are many things I already do, compost, garden, recycle, pick up trash, watch educational shows on saving the environment, use my own recyclable bags when shopping...but I wanted to know how there were other ways and I learned so much. I never realized how many items are sold in my grocery store in plastic containers. Even if I recycle-that's a lot. Now I try to find other ways to decrease my plastic usage. I'm more aware and more creative on buying, using (or not using) plastics.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use Reusable Containers

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

Barb Blades 8/05/2019 12:21 PM

I became more aware how many items in the store are in plastic. I have cut down drastically on single use and feel much better in helping the environment

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Alison Day 7/31/2019 7:11 PM

I've started composting at work, and I've been researching compost bins for home!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Community Write Letters or Emails

How might thinking creatively help us address big systems problems - like plastic pollution - differently?

Alison Day 7/31/2019 7:08 PM

Obviously what we're doing now is not solving the plastic problem, so thinking outside the box, and encouraging others to, is the only way things will change.

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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?

Alison Day 7/31/2019 7:07 PM

I haven't gone yet, but I plan to soon!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Personal Care Lather Up

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

Alison Day 7/31/2019 7:04 PM

Obviously less plastic! I'm not a huge fan of bar soap, though. I'm not ready to change my shampoo habits just yet.

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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?

Alison Day 7/31/2019 7:03 PM

I can reduce my food waste a lot! And buy less pre-packaged food.

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