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Bryana Hope's avatar

Bryana Hope

The Maryland Zoo

"By leading a life that integrates compassion for the environment, I advocate for plastic conservation and sustainable practices, ensuring that my journey to self-restoration contributes to a healthier, cleaner planet for future generations."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 445 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    35
    pounds of paper
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.0
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill

Bryana's actions

Kitchen

Embrace Imperfection

Eliminating 100% of all plastic from our lives simply isn't possible. Throughout this month, I will embrace imperfection in my plastic-free journey while exploring and testing new ways to reduce my plastic footprint.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Use What You Have

The only thing worse than a single-use item is a zero-use item! I will use (and use up) what I already have in my home before buying something new.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Bathroom

Eco Deodorant

Conventional deodorant tubes are typically made from plastics #4 and #5, which are rarely accepted for recycling - especially together. When it's time to replace my current deodorant, I will replace it with a plastic-free option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Brush with Bamboo

In the US, about 1 billion toothbrushes are thrown away each year. And because plastic is designed to last, nearly every plastic toothbrush ever created still exists. When it's time to replace my current toothbrush, I will replace it with a plastic-free bamboo option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Bidet All Day

The average American uses about 141 rolls of toilet paper each year, most of which is wrapped in plastic film. To cut down on my toilet paper usage, I will install a bidet in my bathroom.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

A Sustainable Flow

Pads and tampons are typically made with plastics, and about 41 million pounds of menstrual products end up in landfills every year. This month, I will make the switch to sustainable, reusable period products.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Say No to "Flushable Wipes"

Even when advertised as "flushable" these wipes don't break down in sewer systems, but instead combine with fat to create massive clogs. This month, I will find alternatives to using disposable wipes.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Plastic Free TP

Most toilet paper is wrapped in plastic #4, or low-density polyethylene - a thin plastic film that cannot be recycled back into more plastic film. To avoid this plastic wrapping, I will purchase toilet paper wrapped in paper instead, or use a reusable toilet paper option.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Save Jars for Reuse

Pinterest may want you to think that you need a cupboard full of matching mason jars, but reusing what we already have is one of the best ways to reduce our waste. This month, instead of recycling glass jars (such as pasta sauce, pickles, and salsa jars), I will save them to reuse for food storage.

COMPLETED 2
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?


  • Bryana Hope's avatar
    Bryana Hope 7/31/2024 8:18 PM
    As I said before I do slip up from time to time but when I remember the goal I make sure to get in order.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bathroom Bidet All Day
    There are many benefits to using a bidet, including health, environmental, and economic benefits. Which of these benefits was most influential for you in making the switch to a bidet, and what has your experience been like since?

    Bryana Hope's avatar
    Bryana Hope 7/31/2024 8:17 PM
    The environmental benefits were most influential for me, and since switching to a bidet, I’ve felt cleaner and more eco-conscious.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bathroom Plastic Free TP
    Inquiring minds wanna know... Are you a scruncher or a folder?

    Bryana Hope's avatar
    Bryana Hope 7/31/2024 8:16 PM
    I’m a folder as I like feeling organized
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bathroom Say No to "Flushable Wipes"
    Even though they are marketed as "flushable," disposable wipes do not disintegrate in water or the sewer system, and actually release microplastics into our waterways. How does it feel to learn this information? What do you want to do about it?

    Bryana Hope's avatar
    Bryana Hope 7/31/2024 8:15 PM
    Learning that “flushable” wipes harm our waterways and release microplastics is disheartening and alarming because it may be healthy and convenient for some. I want to raise awareness in our community and advocate for the use of eco-friendly alternatives that genuinely decompose and protect our environment.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bathroom A Sustainable Flow
    Disposable tampons and menstrual pads are often quite expensive. What are the economic and personal benefits of this switch for you?

    Bryana Hope's avatar
    Bryana Hope 7/31/2024 8:13 PM
    Switching to reusable menstrual products saves money over time and provides a more comfortable, eco-friendly, and healthier alternative to disposable options.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bathroom Brush with Bamboo
    What are the benefits of switching to bamboo toothbrushes? How would you implore others in your community to make this switch as well?

    Bryana Hope's avatar
    Bryana Hope 7/31/2024 8:12 PM
    Switching to bamboo toothbrushes reduces plastic waste and supports sustainable living, aligning perfectly with my mission of holistic well-being and environmental care. By making this simple change, we not only enhance our personal health but also contribute to a cleaner, greener planet for everyone in our community.

  • Bryana Hope's avatar
    Bryana Hope 7/31/2024 8:07 PM
    Not bad so far sometimes I slip up with things like my water bottles and food containers but I try
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bathroom 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?

    Bryana Hope's avatar
    Bryana Hope 7/07/2024 3:33 PM
    Yes, in most instances where I thought it was just a hear rash or eczema it was actually my deodorant.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen Embrace Imperfection
    How has embracing imperfection impacted your plastic-free journey?

    Bryana Hope's avatar
    Bryana Hope 7/07/2024 3:32 PM
    It made the journey less stressful.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen Use What You Have
    Besides the economic benefits of using the things we already own, how can this practice impact our lives in other ways and influence the way we interact with "things"?

    Bryana Hope's avatar
    Bryana Hope 7/07/2024 3:30 PM
    Using what we own can foster creativity and allows us to value an item