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Christine Eckles's avatar

Christine Eckles

Blank Park Zoo

"To inspire an appreciation of the natural world through conservation, education, research, and recreation."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,310 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    18
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    24
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    59
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    151
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    1.0
    plastic bottle
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    63
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    27
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill

Christine's actions

Community

Become a Recycling Pro

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 5 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Go Strawless

I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.

COMPLETED 23
DAILY ACTIONS

Study

Say No to Styrofoam

Throughout its life cycle, polystyrene (styrofoam) can harm people, communities, and the planet. I will refuse styrofoam whenever I can, making sure to kindly let people know why I'm asking for alternative packaging.

COMPLETED 16
DAILY ACTIONS

Bathroom

Say No to "Flushable Wipes"

Wipes don't break down in sewer systems, but combine with fat to create massive clogs. I will find alternatives to using disposable wipes.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Bathroom

Eco Deodorant

I will switch to a plastic-free deodorant — whether purchased or DIY'd.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Learn about Environmental Justice

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 5 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Advocate for Plastic-Free Dining

I will talk to the owner or manager of a restaurant I frequent to request that they reduce their use of single-use and disposable plastics.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Raise Money For a Nonprofit

I will raise money to support a nonprofit dedicated to plastic pollution reduction.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Advocate for Office Reusables

I will lobby my workplace to have reusable dishes and silverware in order to minimize disposables.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 10 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Tour A Waste Management Facility

I will spend at least 5 minute(s) touring (virtually or in person) a local dump/transfer station, material recovery facility, and/or landfill to learn about our local waste and waste recovery streams.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Glass Bottle Baby

I will replace 1 plastic bottles with glass or stainless steel alternatives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Clean Plate Club

When I need to replace my dish soap, I will switch to a bar or refillable option.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Plant a Garden

I will plant an herb or vegetable garden using as little plastic as possible and to save from the plastic used buying herbs and veggies.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Travel Toiletries

If traveling, I will reuse my old travel tubes to refill with my soaps or only bring bar soaps with me.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

See the Green

I will recycle used contact lenses and packaging.

COMPLETED 10
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Skip Plastic Bags

When possible, I will not use disposable bags when shopping, including produce bags.

COMPLETED 25
DAILY ACTIONS

Family + Pets

Use Reusable Baby Wipes

I will make better choices for the environment and my baby's bum by using reusable baby wipes most or all of the time.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Get Rid of Glitter

I will teach my little ones about microplastics while we do a craft project together using glitter alternatives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Balloons Blow

Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 5 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Discover Together

I will spend 5 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Family + Pets

Invest in a Pooper-Scooper

I will swap out my single use plastic bags for a pooper-scooper.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Numbers Everywhere

The numbers #1-7 on plastics tell us a lot - and can help us be better recyclers. I will learn what these numbers mean and which types of plastics are accepted for recycling in my area.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Dig into Bioplastics

I will spend at least 5 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 1 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Plastic History Buff

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 5 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Follow the Chasing Arrows

The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 5 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Learn about Plastic Production

Plastic production, not just disposal, pollutes communities and harms people. I will learn about the impacts of plastic production on humans, animals, communities, and the environment.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Buy Only What I Need

I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

COMPLETED 19
DAILY ACTIONS

Study

Estimate Your Ecological Footprint

I will calculate my ecological footprint, and from the results brainstorm and take action on ways I can reduce my annual footprint.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Complete a Waste Audit

I will conduct a waste audit - including recyclables and compost - to understand how much waste I create and where I can reduce the most.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed

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?


  • Christine Eckles's avatar
    Christine Eckles 7/28/2023 9:57 AM
    Hello Everyone!

    It's hard to believe July is coming to a close, along with the Plastic Free Challenge!

    Reminder: The challenge closes promptly at midnight (your local time) on Monday, July 31st. You cannot retroactively check in after midnight on the 31st. Be sure to do your final check-in, answer any remaining reflection questions, and post to the feed for a final 5 points before the window closes. I know I have been late with checking in all week - I even set a reminder on my calendar!

    How has the challenge been going for you? What have you learned about yourself or about plastic waster in general?



  • Christine Eckles's avatar
    Christine Eckles 7/27/2023 1:56 PM
    Have you heard about the Plastic Pollution Coalition? You can sign up to receive their updates and information about how plastic pollutes! Here is an article from their latest update: https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2023/7/21/in-our-real-world-barbies-plastic-is-not-so-fantastic

  • Christine Eckles's avatar
    Christine Eckles 7/25/2023 9:16 AM
    It seems that the first image that pops in my mind when I think of plastic pollution and who it affects is a sea turtle or fish. But what it I told you rhinos are also feeling the impacts of plastic and microplastics in their environment? The latest newsletter from the International Rhino Foundation has some surprising (probably shouldn't be) news to share.

    Check it out:
    How Plastic Pollution is Harming Rhinos. Plastic pollution is a major global issue. In a recent study in Chitwan National Park in Nepal, researchers noticed macroplastics or visible plastic pieces in greater one-horned rhino dung. Rhinos are not know for foraging on garbage piles like other large mammals such as elephants, so consumption of plastic is quite unusual. The three year long data collection concluded that 10% of rhino dung in the area contained visible plastic pieces. This could pose a threat to the health of rhinos in the area as plastic ingestion is known to cause poisoning and obstruction in wildlife. Learn more about this new development and what you can do to help in our latest blog available now.

  • Christine Eckles's avatar
    Christine Eckles 7/10/2023 12:41 PM
    Check out the Des Moines Metro Waste Recycling Facility! They will set up tours for a group! https://www.mwatoday.com/waste-recycling/recycling/news/education-center-open-hours-at-metro-recycling-facility/ and here is a online tour option: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0AYpJoJ4gU

  • Christine Eckles's avatar
    Christine Eckles 7/06/2023 11:45 AM
    Looking for a way to recycle plastics that are not accepted in your area's recycling system? Check out TerraCycle. They have free and paid programs. Blank Park Zoo is an approved charity as well!

    To celebrate Plastic Free July, TerraCycle Made products are 20% off. Some favorite items include; compost bin, wireless charger, and more!

    TerraCycle Made products are made from the trash that has been recycled , so you can purchase something that you helped create by recycling through their program! This sale only lasts until July 8th, so shop now. Shop Now

  • Christine Eckles's avatar
    Christine Eckles 7/04/2023 1:22 PM
    Did you know today is #InternationalPlasticBagFreeDay ♻️ Check out this post from National Wildlife Federation: https://twitter.com/nwf/status/1675867003817525249?s=46&t=4wFz3311DEJzdeDkhBNiKQ

  • Christine Eckles's avatar
    Christine Eckles 7/02/2023 7:01 PM

  • Christine Eckles's avatar
    Christine Eckles 7/02/2023 7:06 AM
    Challenge going well so far. I am visiting family in NY and love that the stores do not use plastic bags!! Also we went out to eat and out leftovers were put in tin and paper containers. No styrofoam!