Joanna Caputa

I will spend 15 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

I will spend at least 30 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.

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

I will grow flowers from seeds that I harvest from my own flower garden and share the plants and seeds with others. In this way I avoid buying plants in plastic pots at the store and I share a gift with friends that they can enjoy in their own gardens!

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.

I will write the Publix corporate office to request that they please look into carrying compostable garbage bags alongside their regular plastic bags at their stores. This will allow consumers to have a biodegradable choice in the type of garbage bags they purchase and use.

I will spend at least 15 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 2 friends, family, and/or colleagues.

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

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

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

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.

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.

I will spend 60 minutes learning about the costs of fast fashion and begin trying to practice sustainable fashion in my own life.

I will spend at least 10 minutes picking up trash at the locations where I feed my feral kitties, especially trash that I see is recyclable like plastic bottles or aluminum cans. I see way too much trash every day when I feed them and it's something small I can do to help the environment and make it more beautiful for all of us.

Come by the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo on Saturday, July 8, 10 am - 1 pm and chat with volunteers from Days for Girls. They will be giving out FREE reusable washable pads (for menstruation and incontinence) and beds for companion animals made by volunteers at the North Florida Sewing Center.

I will find secondhand sources for my pet's water/food dishes, collars or leashes.

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

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.

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.

I will give a shout-out on social media to a local company, coworker, friend or family member for their plastic free or green efforts.

I will create or support a sharing economy with family, friends, and neighbors.

I will use a rubber glove to remove pet hair from clothes, carpets and furniture.

I will allow my hair to dry naturally rather than use the blow dryer. This will conserve energy in our home which is a big deal where we live.

I will take showers that are 5 min or less in order to conserve on water.

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

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

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

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

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

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

If possible, I will avoid sending 1 disposable cup(s) to the landfill per day by using a reusable mug or bringing my own travel cup.

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

Donate old handheld electronics for recycling at the zoo's ticket window. Items will be sent to Eco-Cell and funds raised from recycling are donated to support wild gorillas.