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Betsy Atwood's avatar

Betsy Atwood

National Aquarium

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 645 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    11
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    community event
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    16
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    585
    minutes
    spent outdoors
  • UP TO
    40
    minutes
    spent learning

Betsy's actions

Kitchen

Take the pre-survey!

Help us make the Plastic Free Ecochallenge the best it can be! Take the challenge pre-survey (and look out for the post-survey at the end of the challenge!) so we can better understand the impact the challenge has and how we can improve in the future. Plus, you'll earn points for completing it! Thank you!

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Choose Unpackaged Produce

I will purchase unpackaged produce at the grocery store or at the farmer's market.

COMPLETED 2
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

Kitchen

Take Out Pro

When I'm ordering takeout, I will bring my own containers for the restaurant to fill.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Bathroom

That Was a Close Shave

Who says we need 5 blades and a ribbon of shaving cream on every $5 razor blade cartridge, when a single blade causes less irritation and costs 92% less? This month, I will replace my disposable razors with steel razors.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Go For a Walk

Science has shown that focused time in nature calms our over-worked frontal lobe and gives space for the areas of our brain associated with emotions, pleasure, and empathy to take over, providing a sense of calm that is measurable in brain scans and even blood tests. Each day this month, I will spend 20 minutes outside in nature, and share my observations, reflections, and learnings on the Participant Feed.

COMPLETED 11
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Share My Actions

One of the best ways we can create change in our communities is simply by talking about it! This month, I will make my environmental actions visible by sharing about them on my social media networks and the Plastic Free Ecochallenge participant feed.

COMPLETED 16
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 Join a Cleanup Effort
    What was the most unexpected piece of trash that was picked up during your local cleanup effort?

    Betsy Atwood's avatar
    Betsy Atwood 7/23/2024 5:11 PM
    Today I hosted my first beach clean-up! We collected 33 items, mostly plastic. The most common item we found was plastic forks and knives.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen Choose 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?

    Betsy Atwood's avatar
    Betsy Atwood 7/14/2024 7:36 AM
    Plastic, of course, has its place in our world but we are simply using too much. Not everything needs to be individually wrapped or in plastic containers. I have found that getting my fruit and veggies from a farmers market has helped me cut down on my single use plastics. I like going to the markets because they put their produce in cardboard or other biodegradable materials. I have been big on berries lately and in grocery stores they are always in plastic. It's nice to have another option.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Go For a Walk
    What have you noticed about your mental and/or physical health while going on daily walks? How has it affected other areas of your life?

    Betsy Atwood's avatar
    Betsy Atwood 7/14/2024 7:32 AM
    Being out in nature has always had a calming effect on me. I love the city too, but taking time to slow down and appreciate all the animals that coexist with us reminds me to be more conscious of those around me. Today I a saw a black squirrel on my walk. While not necessarily uncommon, I don't usually see them around my neighborhood. I would love to be outside more, but with the excessive heat I have had to cut my walks short.

  • Betsy Atwood's avatar
    Betsy Atwood 6/03/2024 5:30 AM
    Plastic free July is such a great reminder that we are doing more good than we think and that there is always room for improvement. If we all put in a little effort into reducing single use plastics, our world will be a healthier and happier place to live. Can't wait to get started!