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Welcome to Plastic Free Ecochallenge!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an EcoChallenge expert in no time!

Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums
Plastic Free Ecochallenge
July 1 - July 31, 2019

Jonelle Meyer

The Florida Aquarium

"Reduce your use and give the planet a boost!"

Points Total

  • 0 Today
  • 0 This Week
  • 1,461 Total

Participant Impact

  • up to
    375
    pieces of litter
    picked up
  • up to
    1
    community events
    hosted or attended
  • up to
    1
    waste audits
    conducted
  • up to
    1
    donations
    made
  • up to
    29
    pieces of plastic cutlery
    not sent to the landfill
  • up to
    15
    minutes
    spent learning

Challenges

Community

Raise Money For a Nonprofit

I will raise money to support a nonprofit dedicated to plastic pollution reduction.

Completed
One-Time Challenge

Family

Discover Together

I will spend 10 minutes educating my family on the basics of living a reduced/no-plastic lifestyle.

Completed
One-Time Challenge

Personal Care

Fresh as a Daisy

I will use deodorant either from a bar or a jar or I will make my own.

Completed
One-Time Challenge

Community

Estimate Your Plastic Consumption and Go #PlasticNeutral

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

Completed
One-Time Challenge

Food

Buy Unpackaged Produce

I will purchase produce items without plastic packaging.

COMPLETED 3 OF 31
DAILY CHALLENGE

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 15 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 25 OF 31
DAILY CHALLENGE

Personal Care

Lather Up

I will replace my soaps, shampoos, and conditions with either a bar or refillable option.

Completed
One-Time Challenge

Community

Share My Actions

I will make my environmental actions visible by posting to my social media networks.

Completed
One-Time Challenge

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 Challenge

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 Challenge

Personal Care

Pretty oh so Pretty

I will purchase beauty products that are packaged in sustainable packaging.

Completed
One-Time Challenge

Food

Minimize Packaging

I will purchase food items with the least amount of packaging.

COMPLETED 5 OF 31
DAILY CHALLENGE

Food

Use Reusable Utensils

I will keep 1 plastic cutlery out of the landfill per day by using my own reusable cutlery.

COMPLETED 29 OF 31
DAILY CHALLENGE

Feed

  • Jonelle Meyer 7/31/2019 8:31 AM
    It's the last day!!! Most of the challenge has been a good reminder of some things I should have continued doing from last year but I have also gained new info on things I can get passionate about. Last year it was my toothpaste and brushes and I think this year will make me want to use more shampoo bars and purchase my deodorant in jars. I also educated a bunch more people on the effects of plastic, raising awareness in my community. Bye, July! Thanks for helping me be more plastic free. :) 
    Read More
  • Reflection Question
    Personal Care Fresh as a Daisy
    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?
    Jonelle Meyer 7/31/2019 8:27 AM
    Well, that was a fun Google search. Scary how much parabens can effect our health and be absorbed into our bodies. I'm happy I really like this new deodorant I bought. I truly did it for the Plastic Free July Challenge, but now I've been given more reasons to keep buying it. I don't know that I've already experienced side effects but the potential ones are certainly severe enough to make you think twice.
    Read More
  • Reflection Question
    Personal Care Lather Up
    What are the economic and personal benefits of switching to bar soap/shampoo/conditioner or refillable bottle options?
    Jonelle Meyer 7/31/2019 8:19 AM
    It seems that most bars last longer given the size they come in which is certainly an economical win for the consumer. Also, they are mostly organic and free of many chemicals we use on our bodies typically with the average shampoos and soaps you would buy at the store. Digging my bar! I've been using it all over but I think I will buy a separate shampoo bar in the future.
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  • Jonelle Meyer 7/30/2019 9:57 AM
    Free ice cream? Heck yes! Plastic spoons? Heck no! Using my own and providing for others. :)
    Read More
  • Jonelle Meyer 7/29/2019 1:59 PM
    I wasn't able to perform any actions yesterday. I was unexpectedly given plastic utensils at a restaurant. :/ But it's a new day! 
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  • Jonelle Meyer 7/28/2019 11:25 AM
    It's the home stretch! Gonna give my new deodorant in a jar a shot today. Hope my pits smell nice. 
    Read More
  • Jonelle Meyer 7/27/2019 9:15 AM
    Used my new body bar last night. It's pretty great! Used it on my hair too but did have to use a regular conditioner after. Just a heads up, Whole Foods soaps are $1.49/oz, not each. Learned that the hard way. Ha. But it was still only $5 and totally worth it.
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  • Jonelle Meyer 7/26/2019 10:29 AM
    I thi k I may buy some plastic free socks from our gift shop today! :D
    Read More
  • Reflection Question
    Food Minimize Packaging
    With the added mindfulness of reducing your packaging, what have you noticed about the amount and type of single use plastics used for packaging when you shop in the grocery store?
    Jonelle Meyer 7/26/2019 10:28 AM
    Mostly what I have noticed with single use packaging in grocery stores is that it's practically on everything! And sadly, it's very hard to avoid. I've noticed some brands that make frozen dinners have begun to use paper or compostable trays which I really like. I have a lot of plastic guilt over the single use trays. It also saddens me that so much produce is wrapped in plastic. Why some but not all? Can we just opt for all of it to be plastic free? 
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  • Jonelle Meyer 7/25/2019 1:40 PM
    There's still so much to do but it's cool to see the numbers add up! I've picked up 315 pieces of litter. Neat. :)
    Read More
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