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Sara McDonald's avatar

Sara McDonald

South Carolina Aquarium

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,225 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    5.0
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    1.0
    community event
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    25
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    66
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    42
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    107
    pieces of plastic cutlery
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    4.0
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    35
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill

Sara's actions

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.

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 10 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

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

Kitchen

Travel Eating

If traveling, I will bring my own snacks and meals in my own containers to avoid the waste of take-out containers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Learn about Environmental Justice

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 10 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

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 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Bedroom

Ditch Dryer Sheets

I will use wool dryer balls or another plastic-free alternative to dryer sheets to keep my clothes static-free.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bedroom

Catch Those Microfibers

I will use a microfiber catcher in my laundry, or install a microfiber filter for my washing machine.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Homemade or Refillable Cleaners

I will make my own cleaning products or choose plastic-free, refillable options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Use a Reusable Mug

If possible, I will avoid sending 2 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own travel cup.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 3 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Glass Bottle Baby

I will replace 4 plastic bottles with glass or stainless steel alternatives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Choose Reusable Food Storage

I will only use reusable containers instead of single-use plastic storage items (such as plastic wrap, single-use sandwich bags).

COMPLETED 27
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?


  • Sara McDonald's avatar
    Sara McDonald 7/28/2023 7:24 AM
    Hospital cafeterias are horrible! Yesterday, my mom and I ate at one where my sister is staying in Richmond, VA - almost everything was styrofoam (plates and cups) or plastic (plastic containers for the salad bar and cutlery). There were no reusables at all. I wonder if this was a result of COVID? Sigh - it was so disheartening. Fortunately, they had beverages in cans and bottles, but it was kind of a disaster.

    • Kate  Byrd's avatar
      Kate Byrd 7/31/2023 2:29 AM
      Covid definitely sent the push for reusables backward a good bit! Hospitals are one place that are full of single-use plastics, especially in the cafeteria.

    • Dominique Hunt's avatar
      Dominique Hunt 7/28/2023 7:45 AM
      That's a good point about it being the result from COVID.

  • Sara McDonald's avatar
    Sara McDonald 7/26/2023 7:11 PM
    I've been on a road trip and it's so easy to just use plastic - beverages, food and cutlery. I managed to remember to bring my reusable water bottle, coffee cup and utensils and pack my own food. But - it's tempting to buy a beverage in a plastic bottle and snacks in plastic packaging when filling up at the gas station. So - this is also helping me eat healthier, too!

  • Sara McDonald's avatar
    Sara McDonald 7/05/2023 10:28 AM
    Anyone interested in viewing a movie about plastics this month? I'm thinking of organizing a watch party if there's interest.