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

The Tech Interactive 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?

Katie Callahan 7/31/2019 8:57 PM

This has been a fun challenge, and very opening as to how much single use plastic is all around us. I am very happy to report that my husband, all on his own, said that we should continue with our plastic-free shopping changes that we've started this month! Yay for a lasting impact!

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Katie Callahan 7/26/2019 7:40 PM

It's nice to be back home where I have everything convenient and am more in the habit of going around single-use plastic-free. Being plastic-free while traveling was much more difficult than I had anticipated. One definitely needs to prepare well in advance to travel without using single-use plastic. I wish that weren't the case.

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Sherry Burch 7/24/2019 9:23 AM

I'm on the 2nd round of reusing a paper bag in my trash can instead of plastic and it's really forced me to rethink what I am throwing away. It's a great way to keep plastic reduction in the forefront of my mind.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Use Reusable Bags

How difficult was this challenge for you? What made it easy or difficult?

Lisa Incatasciato 7/22/2019 10:49 AM

I've been in the habit of bringing my reusable bags to the grocery store. However, some of my produce bags can be a little too small for things like large kale so I occasionally to use the plastic ones. But working on it :)

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Katie Callahan 7/19/2019 1:06 PM

Going plastic free while traveling is definitely more... I don't know if I want to say difficult... but at least requires a lot more pre-planning. I flew today and was going to request to have my beverage in just the can... only to have the stewardess bring it to me (and everyone) in a plastic cup. At least I did bring my own straw in when I went out to eat/drink, so saved a couple of straws from going to the landfill. Small steps add up to giant leaps!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Food Buy Unpackaged Produce

Why do you think these produce products started amassing so much plastic packaging? Who is the plastic packaging really serving -- the consumer, the producer, or someone else?

Katie Callahan 7/19/2019 1:04 PM

There are definitely advantages to plastic: it's cheap, durable, keeps products protected, etc. I feel like plastic packaging does serve both the consumer and the producer, at unfortunately a high cost. We used to do things without plastic and we can definitely do so again.

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Sherry Burch 7/18/2019 9:53 AM

I had a conversation with my neighbors/parents this morning about sharing items (like an instant pot) so that we don't all have to own all the things. This idea meshes perfectly with the minimalist movement and reducing the stress of clutter, so win-win.

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Katie Callahan 7/15/2019 5:12 PM

Thank goodness for bulk bins! It's amazing how, once you start looking for it, *everything* seems to have plastic involved somehow or another!

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Katie Callahan 7/13/2019 10:12 PM

Practiced what I preached today and brought my own containers, utensils, and cups to a summer barbeque. I'll definitely have to do this more often.

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Katie Callahan 7/12/2019 9:18 PM

I am thankful today to live in a place where other people also understand. I had family visiting today and I purpose chose a restaurant that was eco friendly. It was nice to have delicious food, support a local business, and not have to worry about using any single use plastics!

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