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Kyla Greenham's avatar

Kyla Greenham

Toronto Zoo

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,160 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    36
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    2.0
    community events
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    94
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    6.0
    donations
    made
  • UP TO
    629
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    352
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    39
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    36
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    waste audit
    conducted

Kyla's actions

Community

Donate Zero Waste Period Products

I will donate 2 zero waste period kits to young people with periods so that they can reduce their waste and the financial burden of menstruation while continuing their education.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Raise Money For a Nonprofit

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

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.

COMPLETED
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

Host a Watch Party

I will host a watch party with friends and/or colleagues to watch and discuss a movie about plastics.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Share My Actions

I will make my environmental actions visible by sharing about them on my social media networks and the Plastic Free Ecochallenge participant feed.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Join a Cleanup Effort

I will host or participate in a beach, highway, river, or other cleanup effort in my community.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 5 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Research Local Waste Sites

I will spend 60 minutes finding out where landfills and/or toxic waste sites are situated in my region and which communities are most impacted by these sites.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Become a Recycling Pro

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 60 minutes researching which materials are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community and recycle only those items.

COMPLETED 16
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 18
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Practice Sustainable Fashion

I will spend 30 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Sunshine Bleached

I will hang-dry my laundry to use the sun as a natural bleach alternative, or use another natural bleach alternative.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Fill a Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 2 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Kitchen

Try a New Recipe

I will try new recipe(s) or food preparation method(s) each day, such as canning, pickling, making yogurt, or baking granola bars or bread.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Cook a Plastic Free Meal

I will prepare meals at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

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?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Become a Recycling Pro
    What have you learned about what is accepted by local haulers for recycling, what you can drop off or ship to certain places, and what is not recyclable in your area? What is the most difficult part of recycling for you?

    Kyla Greenham's avatar
    Kyla Greenham 7/31/2023 1:23 PM
    The most difficult part of recycling is the difference in what is recyclable in different locations. Having differing abilities leads to a lot of contamination as people think they are doing the right thing. Also makes it hard to remember what is recycle and what is not.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Study Say No to Styrofoam
    How might styrofoam be an environmental justice and/or environmental racism issue in your community?

    Kyla Greenham's avatar
    Kyla Greenham 7/16/2023 10:32 AM
    Environmental justice refers to the fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, ensuring that no particular group bears a disproportionate share of negative environmental impacts.

    1. Disproportionate exposure: Communities with lower socioeconomic status or predominantly marginalized populations often bear the brunt of negative environmental impacts. If a community with these characteristics is located near a styrofoam manufacturing facility or waste disposal site, they may experience higher levels of pollution and health risks associated with styrofoam production and disposal. This concentration of harmful impacts can exacerbate existing social inequalities.
    2. Health impacts: Styrofoam production involves the use of chemicals and releases hazardous pollutants into the air and water. Communities living near styrofoam manufacturing facilities may face increased health risks, including respiratory problems, skin irritations, and other health issues. These impacts can disproportionately affect marginalized communities that lack the resources or political influence to mitigate these risks effectively.
    3. Waste management: Styrofoam is non-biodegradable and difficult to recycle. Improper disposal leads to styrofoam ending up in landfills, waterways, and natural environments. Communities near waste disposal sites, especially those already burdened by other environmental hazards, may face additional pollution and aesthetic degradation due to styrofoam waste. Marginalized communities might have limited waste management infrastructure, making it harder to address the styrofoam waste problem effectively.
    4. Lack of sustainable alternatives: Styrofoam is often used in low-cost food packaging, making it prevalent in economically disadvantaged areas where affordable food options like fast-food restaurants and takeout services are more common. In these communities, access to sustainable alternatives like compostable or recyclable packaging might be limited. This perpetuates the cycle of styrofoam use and waste in marginalized areas.

    Addressing the environmental justice and environmental racism aspects associated with styrofoam requires comprehensive solutions. These may include advocating for stricter regulations on styrofoam production and disposal, promoting sustainable alternatives, engaging affected communities in decision-making processes, and supporting waste management infrastructure development in marginalized areas. Additionally, raising awareness about the environmental and health impacts of styrofoam can help drive positive change and foster more equitable environmental practices.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Raise Money For a Nonprofit
    What are organizations in your region doing to address plastic pollution or other related issues? How can you support them?

    Kyla Greenham's avatar
    Kyla Greenham 7/16/2023 10:29 AM
    Pollution Probe, and York University. I wish I could get my local EAC to be more proactive on this topic. Push council to make changes.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Donate Zero Waste Period Products
    How can having access to zero waste period products help people who menstruate overcome barriers to education or other opportunities?

    Kyla Greenham's avatar
    Kyla Greenham 7/16/2023 10:28 AM
    It gives them the freedom to consciously choose, and staying active more.

  • Kyla Greenham's avatar
    Kyla Greenham 7/16/2023 10:27 AM
    The Plastics Pathway app is now available for free in your favorite online store. Check it out, search "Plastics Pathway" and download the app today.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Study Complete a Waste Audit
    What did you learn about the waste you create? Where can you reduce the most?

    Kyla Greenham's avatar
    Kyla Greenham 7/16/2023 10:25 AM
    I tend to have a lot of snakes with individualize packages, this is also processed stuff which I'm sure has more waste generated than I can see. Bulk packaging or going to natural food snacks would cut down on waste.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Host a Watch Party
    How does hosting a watch party help you to get to know your guests, connect them to the cause you are focusing on, and build your community?

    Kyla Greenham's avatar
    Kyla Greenham 7/16/2023 10:23 AM
    A host party provides an opportunity to open discussions on the issue and see where different people are at in their learnings. I find the open discussion is great at creating thoughts and ideas on what should change and what can be done.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen Fill a Water Bottle
    Using the links provided, investigate the bottling practices of water corporations. There have been many cases where the water rights of the local people have been violated or even completely disregarded when a corporation decides to bottle water from a particular water source. How can you advocate for those who have been harmed by this bottling process?

    Kyla Greenham's avatar
    Kyla Greenham 7/16/2023 10:22 AM
    Consider writing the municipalities and government departments that approve permits for water taking and discuss the issue with them.

  • Kyla Greenham's avatar
    Kyla Greenham 7/14/2023 11:35 AM
    Hi Plastic Free Ecochallengers, we are just about halfway through the challenge! 🎉 How are you feeling as we’re approaching the halfway point? This is usually about the time that things start to feel a bit more challenging. The excitement of Week 1 might be starting to wear off.
    You’re becoming more attuned to the amount of plastic around you.
    You’re doing your one-time research actions and learning more about the problems associated with plastics. You’re still doing all the plastic-positive things like saying no to plastic bags, getting your frappuccinos in your own cups, picking up litter in your neighborhood…and it feels so dang good, I know 💪😎 But I also know there may be that little voice in your head getting frustrated with all of the plastics you’re seeing around you and wondering why you’re the one making so much effort when the corporations and the governments and those dang litterbugs aren’t making the same effort 😤 Am I right?

    But the honest-to-goodness truth here is that this is where the good stuff really begins.

    As cheesy and cliche as it sounds, growth happens outside of our comfort zone. And I know that some of these actions to refuse plastics in our daily life are definitely outside of our comfort zone! I mean, hey, with every “no straw, thanks,” and every loose piece of produce we put on the grocery store conveyor belt, we’re fighting back against the status quo. And it’s working. But if you’re doing those one-time actions and you’re feeling the frustration of corporate and government inaction… I see you. And as we approach the halfway point of our challenge, I implore you to channel that frustration for good. Head back over to the Action Categories page and add “Write Letters, Emails, or Sign Petitions,” “Pick Up the Phone,” or “Advocate for Better Food Packaging” from the Community category to your actions list for the month, and let’s get to work. 💪 Angry that plastic manufacturers can put the chasing arrows recycling symbol on basically anything with zero repercussions? Let your representatives know that you want to see strict regulations around the use of the recycling symbol.
    💪 Tired of picking up litter from the same five brands every day? Call your representatives and let them know you want Extended Producer Responsibility legislation enacted.
    💪 Frustrated that your ecological footprint is higher than you’d like because you have family on the other side of the country that you visit twice a year? Tell your representatives that you want high-speed rail investments to be made a priority.Your everyday actions matter.
    Your voice matters.
    Your advocacy matters. So don’t let the midway frustration get you down. Use it to create waves of change around you.

    You got this 😎 All our best,
    Plastic Free Ecochallenge Planning Team
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen Plant a Garden
    Besides having access to fresh herbs and vegetables, what benefits will you see from growing your own garden?

    Kyla Greenham's avatar
    Kyla Greenham 7/14/2023 11:33 AM
    This gives me a hobby to do while getting outside. A chance to relax from the stress of the day, plus pulling weeds can be very cathartic.