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Sandra McAllister's avatar

Sandra McAllister

Maryland Zoo

"Save the planet, save yourselves!"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 1,381 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    20
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    1.0
    community event
    hosted or attended
  • UP TO
    24
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    1.0
    documentary
    watched
  • UP TO
    1.0
    donation
    made
  • UP TO
    125
    minutes
    spent learning
  • UP TO
    104
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • UP TO
    154
    pieces of plastic cutlery
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    43
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    92
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    52
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill

Sandra's actions

Community

Learn about Environmental Justice

Using the action resource links below, my family will spend 40 minutes learning about environmental justice, causes of environmental injustice, and how plastic waste disproportionately impacts already vulnerable communities.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Advocate for Plastic-Free Dining

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Donate Zero Waste Period Products

I will donate 1 zero waste period kits to young people with periods so that they can reduce their waste and the financial burden of menstruation while continuing their education.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Tour A Waste Management Facility

I will spend at least 20 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Plastic History Buff

Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 30 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

UNCOMPLETED
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

Family + Pets

Balloons Blow

Although a long-standing festive tradition, balloons are harmful for animals and the environment. I will spend 20 learning about the dangers of balloons and find eco-friendly alternatives to use instead.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Study

Say No to Styrofoam

Throughout its life cycle, polystyrene (styrofoam) can harm people, communities, and the planet. I will refuse styrofoam whenever I can, making sure to kindly let people know why I'm asking for alternative packaging.

COMPLETED 17
DAILY ACTIONS

Study

Follow the Chasing Arrows

The chasing arrows symbol we associate with recycling doesn't always actually mean something is recyclable. I will spend at least 15 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.

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

Community

Host a Watch Party

I will host a watch party with friends and/or colleagues to watch and discuss a movie about plastics.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 3 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Cook a Plastic Free Meal

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

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Fill a Water Bottle

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

COMPLETED 25
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 3 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 24
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Go Strawless

I will keep 2 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own reusable straw.

COMPLETED 23
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Plastic Free Lunch Boxes

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

COMPLETED 15
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Skip Plastic Bags

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

COMPLETED 24
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 Learn about Environmental Justice
    What did you and your family learn about environmental justice? What questions came up for you? What feelings?

    Sandra McAllister's avatar
    Sandra McAllister 7/29/2023 4:41 AM
    Everyone needs their voices heard when it comes to environmental protection and decision making.

  • Sandra McAllister's avatar
    Sandra McAllister 7/29/2023 4:05 AM
    Only two days left. Keep completing your actions. Go back if you forgot to complete actions and add them. Let’s not let the other teams catch us by surprise.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Kitchen Go Strawless
    Have you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.

    Sandra McAllister's avatar
    Sandra McAllister 7/29/2023 3:58 AM
    I have definitely noticed the change. Some of the newer business are using more sustainable items. Some local older places still haven’t change from plastic and styrofoam usage but I’m definitely working to have them consider alternatives.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Tour A Waste Management Facility
    Landfills and recycling centers tell us a lot about our communities and purchasing habits. What did you glean from your tour?

    Sandra McAllister's avatar
    Sandra McAllister 7/29/2023 3:50 AM
    We waste so much food. more people need to think of ways to reduce the amount of food waste. More people need to start composting.

  • Sandra McAllister's avatar
    Sandra McAllister 7/29/2023 3:44 AM
    I look forward every year to this challenge. There are some improvements towards plastic reduction by companies but it’s not enough. It is up to us, the consumer, to make them change.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Community Host a Watch Party
    How does hosting a watch party help you to get to know your guests, connect them to the cause you are focusing on, and build your community?

    Sandra McAllister's avatar
    Sandra McAllister 7/18/2023 8:18 PM
    This helps me know my guests by sharing experiences, learning from the documentary and talking about what we can do better moving forward, like composting.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Family + Pets Balloons Blow
    Had you ever considered the environmental impact of balloons before? How can you share this information with your friends and family to encourage them to avoid balloons, too?

    Sandra McAllister's avatar
    Sandra McAllister 7/11/2023 7:21 PM
    Working at the zoo, I’m aware of the impact but doing this challenge is good reminder. I will share the different articles and video with my family and friends.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Bathroom Travel Toiletries
    What is the benefit of using bar soaps or refilling your travel sized containers? Is this an action you think you will keep in your life?

    Sandra McAllister's avatar
    Sandra McAllister 7/11/2023 7:02 PM
    I’d definitely continue to keep refilling my travel size containers. I’ll also travel with my reusable ware.

  • Sandra McAllister's avatar
    Sandra McAllister 7/11/2023 6:57 PM
    My garden is starting to produce great veggies again. Time to start cooking my plastic free meals.

  • Sandra McAllister's avatar
    Sandra McAllister 7/11/2023 6:55 PM
    The Maryland Zoo is still in first place. Keep it up team!