Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2022

July 1 - July 31, 2022

Mary Dobrzynski

"Going plastics free is a challenge. Can I do without plastic wrap? I totally forgot about freezer paper. Storage? Mason jars for pantry items. Re-purposed candle/jelly jars for freezing left overs. It's a start ....."

Points Total

0 Today
0 This Week
658 Total

Participant Impact

up to

34

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
up to

42

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill
up to

41

pieces of litter

picked up
up to

1.0

waste audits

conducted
up to

35

minutes

spent learning

Mary's Actions

Family

Swap the Snacks

I will swap out 3 prepackaged snacks a day for fresh fruits or veggies.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Pets

Invest in a Pooper-Scooper

I will swap out my single use plastic bags for a pooper-scooper.

Completed
One-Time Action

Lifestyle

Clean Plate Club

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

Completed
One-Time Action

Lifestyle

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

Lifestyle

Buy Only What I Need

I will not buy anything except items required for health and safety.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Community

Estimate My Plastic Consumption

I will visit the rePurpose website, complete the 3-minute plastic consumption calculator, and explore how I can reBalance my annual plastic footprint.

Completed
One-Time Action

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 4 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Practice Sustainable Fashion

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

Completed
One-Time Action

Food

Fill a Water Bottle

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

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Cook a Plastic Free Meal

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

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Eco Deodorant

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

Completed
One-Time Action

Personal Care

Brush with Bamboo

I will replace my plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush.

Completed
One-Time Action

Personal Care

Sustainable Suds

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

Completed
One-Time Action

Food

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

Feed

Reflection Question
Lifestyle Complete a Waste Audit

What did you learn about the waste you create? Where can you reduce the most?

Mary Dobrzynski 7/10/2022 8:09 AM

Minimal waste is found in the bathroom eg paper towels to clean mirrors. The kitchen has mostly food waste as there are no accessible nearby compost locations. What can I do? Hmmm .... I certainly cannot buy less veggies. And, due to "new" health issue using left over peels is out. Perhaps I can use one sheet of paper towel to clean the bathroom mirrors?

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Reflection Question
Food Cook a Plastic Free Meal

Do an inventory of your kitchen to see how many single-use plastics you've used in the past. What are some resuable alternatives to these commonly used products? What would your impact be if you switched all the single-use products from your inventory to reusable?

Mary Dobrzynski 7/08/2022 8:57 AM

The only non reusable plastic item I use in the kitchen is plastic wrap. I use it to wrap food items to be frozen before wrapping them in foil. All other storage items are either glass jars or reusable plastic freezer bags.

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Mary Dobrzynski 7/06/2022 5:08 PM

This year I've consciously choose few daily actions and a few more one time actions. The approach has given me the opportunity and time to delve into different actions and truly make substantive changes in my "plastic reduced" lifestyle. Not quite plastics free, but I'm working on it.

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Reflection Question
Lifestyle Buy Only What I Need

As you have reduced your spending, what have you noticed about your 'health and safety' purchasing habits? How might this change your longer term purchasing decisions?

Mary Dobrzynski 7/06/2022 5:04 PM

Purchasing only what I need I tend to use more drugstore coupons and grocery store sales. Which lends to savings and being able to purchase neccessary items should there be a food shortage or other calamities [another lockdown?].

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Reflection Question
Family Swap the Snacks

How does swapping out prepackaged snacks for fresh fruit or veggies benefit your family?

Mary Dobrzynski 7/06/2022 5:00 PM

Another way to "buy what we need." Less room taken in the pantry. We today's world be are economically aiding the local farmers and orchard owners. Finally, fresh fruits and veggies are lacking in additives and preservatives which are harmful to people.

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Reflection Question
Pets Invest in a Pooper-Scooper

How are caring for your pet and caring for the environment connected for you?

Mary Dobrzynski 7/06/2022 4:56 PM

My kittens have eco friendly, flushable litter. Scooping the poop is easy with no more litter locker/bags to add to the landfill, their waste goes "down the drain", so to speak. Kitty waste and Mom's waste travel together.

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Reflection Question
Community Estimate My Plastic Consumption

What did you find out about your plastic consumption by using the calculator? What did or didn't surprise you?

Mary Dobrzynski 7/05/2022 6:51 PM

I use 28.3 kg of plastic per year which is surprisingly low yet higher than India. I am a minimalist so the score was not a shock.

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Reflection Question
Personal Care Eco Deodorant

Do some research on the toxic side affects of aluminum deodorant. After reading the side effects, can you think of instances where you may have experienced the side effects from this form of deodorant?

Mary Dobrzynski 7/05/2022 6:41 PM

It's been so many years since using an album based deodorant. Recalling any side effects is tough but I recall they weren't too effective especially the sprays. For the past 6 years I've been using deodorant in a jar. Aside from the periodic rash, I am more than pleased with the results. Plus, the jars can be repurposed.

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Reflection Question
Personal Care Practice Sustainable Fashion

How can you express your personality, creativity, and values in ways that don't require fast fashion or buying more clothes and accessories?

Mary Dobrzynski 7/05/2022 6:33 PM

I maintain a basic capsule wardrobe with several season specific pieces. My go to accessories are scarfs. I truly haven't bought any "new" clothes in years except for periodically refreshing basic cotton camisole tops.

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Mary Dobrzynski 7/04/2022 5:32 AM

Happy 4th to everyone. Plastics free bbq? Mine will be partially plastics free. Some of the food is sealed in plastic. I could have shopped the grocery meat counter but opted for the ease of pre-shopping. Next year .... there's always Labor Day🍉

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