Coalition of North American Zoos and Aquariums

Plastic Free Ecochallenge 2023

July 1 - July 31, 2023

TSS Scholl

The Florida Aquarium

"Plants over process food every single day"

POINTS TOTAL

0 TODAY
0 THIS WEEK
1,590 TOTAL

participant impact

UP TO

556

minutes

spent learning
UP TO

328

pieces of litter

picked up
UP TO

66

plastic bottles

not sent to the landfill
UP TO

76

plastic containers

not sent to the landfill

TSS's 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 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Plant a Garden

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Community

Keep My Community Clean

I will pick up 5 piece(s) of litter each day.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Bathroom

Homemade or Refillable Cleaners

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

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Bathroom

Green Beauty

When it's time to buy more, I will replace my beauty products with refillable, sustainable, and/or DIY options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Kitchen

Switch to Loose Leaf Tea

Because many tea bags and most sleeves and sachets contain plastic, I will switch to using loose leaf tea.

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Minimize Packaging

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

COMPLETED 31
DAILY ACTIONS

Kitchen

Fill a Water Bottle

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 5 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 31
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

Try a New Recipe

I will try new recipe(s) or food preparation method(s) each day, such as canning, pickling, making yogurt, or baking granola bars or bread.

COMPLETED 31
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?

TSS Scholl 7/28/2023 10:35 AM

I have a wonderful hubby who picks up trash all day and every day, if we are out he is so kind to pick up more than I can say in words . I appreciate him for his help. I am slow to pick up because it's usually times, I haven't had my first bit of food. Tim has set a new strength in me, you can do it. I agree because just like animals trash affects us. Now we are helping animals also not to suffer with garbage. We can make a difference. Keep the pick up trash going!
Tim and Sondra Scholl

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TSS Scholl 7/22/2023 7:14 AM

Hubby and I had a wonderful time walking to our GW Grocery store, on are way or back home we pick up trash and talked about our environment.
As were heading home a man dropped his tobacco case coming off the ship and we stop to give to him, It was litter. I hope he thought about it.
Have a great day!
Sondra Scholl

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Bathroom Green Beauty

How can you advocate for the importance of reducing packaging to the rest of your friends, family and larger community?

TSS Scholl 7/18/2023 1:41 PM

The best way for Hubby and I to be examples and help others to understand the importance of reducing packaging, is to do it yourself.

We shop where it is easier to buy things that are not package and bring your own bags.

This time I am going to purchase some nice glass jars for peanut butter, nuts and fruits.
Sondra Scholl

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Kitchen Fill a Water Bottle

Using the links provided, investigate the bottling practices of water corporations. There have been many cases where the water rights of the local people have been violated or even completely disregarded when a corporation decides to bottle water from a particular water source. How can you advocate for those who have been harmed by this bottling process?

TSS Scholl 7/16/2023 11:05 AM

Hubby and I learned this "But in reality, about 64% of bottled water brands are actually just tap water, and in many ways tap water is more regulated than bottled water, so you’re more likely to know where your water is coming from and what’s in it when it’s coming from your own faucet."

I had to think on this for a while, I do agree, products sell.

To hubby and I it's hard to say, because of things getting into city water it can be good or bad. We do not know of yet.

We do use filter water in our home.
Sondra have fun learning!

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Kitchen Try a New Recipe

How do you feel about being more involved in the food preparation process? Joyful, overwhelmed, engaged, empowered? What are the benefits of choosing to process or produce your own food instead of buying it pre-processed?

TSS Scholl 7/14/2023 11:05 AM

I find cooking Joyful, I have learned a lot of ways to cook Vegan dishes and make it taste like the real deal.

The benefit of growing your own or buying fresh food, it taste better. I buy only what I need for a few days. It helps to limit yourself so the food is always fresh. Sondra

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REFLECTION QUESTION
Bathroom Homemade or Refillable Cleaners

What did you learn by making your own cleaning products? What is the biggest difference in making vs buying?

TSS Scholl 7/14/2023 10:49 AM

I like to the idea of keeping our home chemical free. I feel when you make your own detergent, counter top sprays, it last longer and smells better.

Do it your self is fun and can be creative for the whole family, I use different oils for most needs.

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TSS Scholl 7/11/2023 6:23 AM

Any time you pick up trash, you are creating a positive impact. These five tips will impact a greater outdoor clean environment. Pick up the trash with a bucket, washable gloves, sort your recyclables, refill and reduce, is the way to go. I personally pick up 5 to 10 pieces of trash before I have begun my day. Have a great clean day! Sondra

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- Danielle Dwyer 7/11/2023 7:46 AM
  
  We can all live in a healthy environment if we take the extra time and effort to keep it clean!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Kitchen 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?

TSS Scholl 7/10/2023 12:13 PM

This a Great Recipe for a easy Salad.
Chickpeas, Celery, Green Onions Apple, Red Onions, Fresh Dill, Italian Parsley, Dill Relish, Lemon Juice, Began Mayo and top it off with Pepper no plastic required.

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- Danielle Dwyer 7/11/2023 7:48 AM
  
  That sounds like a delicious recipe. I will have to try it sometime. Thanks Sondra!
  
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TSS Scholl 7/10/2023 9:56 AM

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- Danielle Dwyer 7/11/2023 7:49 AM
  
  Great recommendation! Sometimes I will add a few drops of essential oil to my wool balls to give my clothes a fresh scent.
  
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TSS Scholl 7/09/2023 9:53 AM
A simple and inexpensive non-toxic cleaners from ingredients already lying around your house. I use essential oils to create my own cleaning spray's it is safe for the environment and safe for your family as well. This spray is perfect for cleaning hard surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom, etc.
Ingredients

¼ cup white vinegar

1 ¾ cups water

30 drops doTERRA essential oils

Recommended essential oil combinations: :You may have your favorite oil too.
- 15 drops each of Lavender and Lemon
- 10 drops each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Wild Orange
- 30 drops doTERRA On Guard®
- 15 drops each of Grapefruit and doTERRA On Guard
Sondra Scholl
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- Ciara Martin 7/10/2023 8:50 AM
  
  Thank you for this recipe! I love DIY cleaning, I've found they work way better than store bought products as well.
  
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