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Susan Rubin's avatar

Susan Rubin

Reid Park Zoo

"My mission statement is: That every year I do the Eco Plastic Challenge I can make better choices and educate others with what I learned."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 2,076 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    156
    disposable cups
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    30
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    215
    pieces of plastic cutlery
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    185
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    413
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill

Susan's actions

Kitchen

Plastic Free Lunch Boxes

I will only pack reusable cutlery, drinkware and containers in my family's lunches to reduce plastic waste.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Bathroom

Sustainable Suds

I will replace my soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions with sustainable, unpackaged, or refillable options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Cook a Plastic Free Meal

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

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 4 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Fill a Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 4 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

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 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Clean Plate Club

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

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

Kitchen

Swap the Snacks

I will swap out 6 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Natural Fibers

When available, I will purchase clothing and bedding made with natural fibers, such as cotton, linen, or wool, rather than synthetic fibers.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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

Eco Detergent

I will use laundry detergent that is packaged in glass or aluminum, or an alternative like soap nuts.

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

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

Green Beauty

When it's time to buy more, I will replace my beauty products with refillable, sustainable, and/or DIY options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Eco Deodorant

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

That Was a Close Shave

I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Brush with Bamboo

I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 31
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?


  • Susan Rubin's avatar
    Susan Rubin 7/31/2023 7:39 PM
    Tomorrow I will be on my way with my lunch box and bamboo utensil, my salad packed and home made hummus. My water bottle will be filled with water and ice. Another day to make a difference and inspire others. Until next year,.....

  • Susan Rubin's avatar
    Susan Rubin 7/31/2023 4:09 PM
    My neighbor had bees in their roof. So glad they choose American Bee Control. I got to speak with j. Greg Denker about how they are removing them safely with a green machine. It was great to talk to someone in the business of bee removal who felt as passionate about bee conservation. He and another man choose not to smoke them and only one sting happened. A very healthy, calm hive with lots of babies! The queen and worker bees in one box and getting the others to join. Paulina next door was given the honey comb to enjoy. Greg may keep these good natured bees for himself and give them their own hive.

  • Susan Rubin's avatar
    Susan Rubin 7/31/2023 12:18 PM
    I am going to honor and celebrate the last day of the plastic challenge by making a batch of Smokey chipotle hummus. With chipotle peppers I have purchased a the farmers market last Friday at Udall Park Recreational Center. Hope to see you all next July.

    • Susan Rubin's avatar
      Susan Rubin 7/31/2023 4:02 PM
      I enjoy making hummus and it is easy. I always have sesame tahini and chick peas in the house. I have added sun dried tomatoes, artichokes, hearts of palms, a medley of olives and roasted red pepper. I still need work on perfecting my bab ganoush.

    • Connie Peterson's avatar
      Connie Peterson 7/31/2023 1:26 PM
      That sounds delish!

  • Susan Rubin's avatar
    Susan Rubin 7/31/2023 7:51 AM
    the micro burst caused damaged at Reid Park Zoo in the South America loop. I would like to thank the Zoo Keepers and staff for caring for all the animals and birds in that area.

  • Susan Rubin's avatar
    Susan Rubin 7/31/2023 5:31 AM
    So sad that this is the last day of the plastic free eco challenge. This year I have added more ways to repurpose, proper ways to recycle and reduce the plastic in my life. I will continuing educating myself and exploring option during the year to share next July with all of you.

  • Susan Rubin's avatar
    Susan Rubin 7/30/2023 7:56 PM
    Today I traveled with reusable containers from going to the Zoo for volunteering to going to my brother's house for dinner.

  • Susan Rubin's avatar
    Susan Rubin 7/30/2023 6:15 AM
    This morning I check my rain gauge and I had 2 inches of rain recorded. It is a glass one and once I take a picture of how much, I can empty it and wait for the next rain. The glass is wrapped in a decretive metal piece and will not fade like a plastic rain gauge.

    • Susan Rubin's avatar
      Susan Rubin 7/31/2023 7:46 AM
      I got my rain gauge at the Wild Birds Unlimited on Tanique Verde. They also sell the glass tube separately as a replacement. I get all my bird seed, feeders, guides and gift items from. I a member and earn Bird Bucks.

    • Lizzy Simpson's avatar
      Lizzy Simpson 7/31/2023 1:40 AM
      Cool! I want to get one for my school. Where did you get yours?

  • Susan Rubin's avatar
    Susan Rubin 7/29/2023 8:16 AM
    Every year I do this challenge I learn so much about how to go plastic free and be more environmental. Participating gives me the time to think about how I can: refuse, reduce, reuse and properly recycle. This is why I am grateful in being able to participate. I am able to set realistic goals and meet them.

  • Susan Rubin's avatar
    Susan Rubin 7/29/2023 8:11 AM
    Today I prepared for a birthday dinner for my brother. Around March I heard the possibility of Sweet Tomatoes reopening at Park Place Mall. Since it has not open yet; my mother and I will create the same experience for my brother at his house. I will prep the salad ingredients and my mother will make the home made vegetable soup and home made bread. We shopped at Safeway. I used my reusable vegetable bags and shopping bags. This was a big to do, since my mother does not think twice about plastic bags.

  • Susan Rubin's avatar
    Susan Rubin 7/28/2023 8:11 AM
    Yesterday I took two courses from Pima County Natural Resources. The Bullfrog: Let's Jump to it! With Melissa Van Kleech-Hann and Buffelgrass: An Alien Invasion with Ben Tully and Melissa Mundt . I learned a lot about how an invasive frog and plants effect native frogs and ecosystem.