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

SCZ - Gorilla 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?

Anna Towns 7/31/2019 1:52 PM

I went to my favorite place for lunch yesterday, and read a bit of 101 Ways to go Zero Waste by Kathryn Kellogg. I highly recommend reading it, even if you think you know all the answers!

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Peninnah Ziegler 7/31/2019 9:43 AM

Today is the last day of our annual challenge! I've discovered some new products, limited what I buy, and generally had a lot of fun tracking my plastic-free progress. Much like last year, I hope to keep these new habits in place throughout the year.

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Janelle Patterson 7/30/2019 1:43 PM

Just sayin...

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Janelle Patterson 7/30/2019 1:41 PM

We got our school supplies through Walmart's pickup and my husband went to get it. I was so proud that he refused all the plastic bags and used some baskets I had in the van. He doesn't even realize what a change this challenge has inspired in him :)

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Kristin Zarchan 7/29/2019 9:45 AM

I am good with the recycling part!

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Micala Teetzen 7/29/2019 9:44 AM

As this challenge comes to a close, I wanted to encourage everyone to continue to keep up on the new habits you have developed this month. As an example, last year one of my challenges was to give up floss picks. I loved my floss picks and hated the thought of going back to regular messy floss. So I found this compromise. It is essentially a reusable floss pick with a spool of floss inside. It took some getting used to but I have stuck with it since last July and that one spool has lasted this whole year! It is called GripIt and I ordered it online. I just refilled it with a regular spool recently. Anyway, keep plugging on in your new goals!

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- Laura Meyers 7/29/2019 11:27 AM
  
  I am going to look into getting one of those. Thanks for sharing
  
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Peninnah Ziegler 7/28/2019 6:25 PM

How do you handle caustic people when you’re trying to be more plastic free? After the guy behind me on line at the grocery heard me talk about Plastic Free July, he asked the clerk to double bag all of his items in plastic because of “that hippy.” I didn’t know what to say. (I am a bit of a hippy.)

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- Roseann Giambro 7/31/2019 7:38 AM
  
  Personally I think it's guilt that makes people defensive and in his case ridiculous. I've had that happen to me while out eating with a group of people. One guy started to pick on my food choices because I'm a vegetarian. I shot back with "I don't have to justify my lifestyle to you. I'm not picking on your meat so leave my broccoli alone".
  
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- Laura Meyers 7/28/2019 6:51 PM
  
  Just ignore the stupid
  
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- Peninnah Ziegler 7/30/2019 7:14 AM
  
  Thanks Anna & Laura!
  
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- Anna Towns 7/29/2019 6:03 PM
  
  Is it bad that I hope the clerk overloaded his bags? 😬 Maybe his reaction inspired an opposite reaction from the next person in line? Just try to remember that you are only responsible for your choices, and keep making good ones when you can!
  
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Laura Meyers 7/26/2019 2:58 PM

These came in the mail today.

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Peninnah Ziegler 7/26/2019 9:53 AM

Hey team!! We're currently ranked 47 out of 774 total teams! Well done, SCZ team Gorilla!
With six days left including today, we can still make a difference!!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Minimize Packaging

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?

Peninnah Ziegler 7/26/2019 9:50 AM

I've been surprised at not only the number of items that have plastic packaging, but how many layers of plastic packaging some items have!! A food item I chose not to buy had a layer of plastic around the box, the cardboard box, and then a bag inside it!

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