Ashley Stracke
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 1,010 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO16meatless or vegan mealsconsumed
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UP TO1.0conversationwith a person
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UP TO190minutesspent learning
Ashley's actions
Study
Plastic History Buff
Single-use plastics are everywhere, but that wasn't always the case. I will spend at least 10 minutes learning about the history of single-use plastics and how it became ubiquitous in our daily lives.
Study
Numbers Everywhere
The numbers #1-7 on plastics tell us a lot - and can help us be better recyclers. I will learn what these numbers mean and which types of plastics are accepted for recycling in my area.
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.
Study
Investigate Oil Subsidies
Our tax dollars are subsidizing the fossil fuel industry, making the cost of plastics artificially low and encouraging further plastics production. I will spend 10 minutes learning about oil subsidies and how I can advocate for their elimination.
Family + Pets
Mend and Repair
We've all got it - that thing in the back of our closet we keep saying we'll fix "one day." I will make today that day by learning how to mend or repair ripped or broken items in my home - or by finding a local offering to do it for me.
Kitchen
Meatless Meals
There are many benefits to enjoying meatless meals - including reducing our plastic footprint. Most meats and dairy products are packaged in plastic, so this month, I will reduce my animal product consumption and enjoy 2 vegetarian or vegan meals each day.
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.
Bathroom
Take the pre-survey!
Help us make the Plastic Free Ecochallenge the best it can be! Take the challenge pre-survey (and look out for the post-survey at the end of the challenge!) so we can better understand the impact the challenge has and how we can improve in the future. Plus, you'll earn points for completing it! Thank you!
Study
Divest and Reinvest
Does your savings account, retirement account, or investment account support the fossil fuel (and plastics) industry? This month, I will spend 30 minutes investigating where my investments (and where my bank's investments) are going, divest from the fossil fuel industry, and reinvest in ways that are more in alignment with my values.
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 30 minutes learning the different meanings the symbol can have.
Study
Estimate Your Ecological Footprint
I will calculate my ecological footprint, and from the results brainstorm and take action on ways I can reduce my annual footprint.
Study
Dig into Bioplastics
I will spend at least 30 minutes researching the impacts of bioplastics and how to properly dispose of them in my city, and I will share this information with 1 friends, family, and/or colleagues.
Study
Greenwashing Pro
Greenwashing can fool even the most experienced eco-advocate. This month, I will spend 30 minutes learning what greenwashing is, how to spot it, and what I can do about it.
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?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONStudy Learn about Plastic ProductionWhat did you learn about how plastic production impacts humans, animals, communities, and the environment? Which of these impacts specifically affects your community?
Ashley Stracke 7/31/2024 8:47 PMI was surprised to learn that the impact from the life cycle of plastics isn't well researched/understood. The fact that plastics are such a significant contributor to climate change and that around 40% are single-use is just heartbreaking. -
Ashley Stracke 7/31/2024 8:28 PMSometimes, it seems like the challenges with climate change and the environment are insurmountable. And honestly, after this month, I realized more than ever that while each person's daily actions are critical, the real change needs to come from us pushing our leaders to do better... to be better. To do the courageous thing. Because these are systemic issues that need systemic solutions. The parts about this challenge that I appreciated the most were learning about the bigger picture --- learning about the systems, and learning about the huge positive changes that have already taken place. I am leaving the Challenge far more informed, curious, and empowered than when I started. I'm so grateful to everyone who made this possible. Thank you!-
Plastic Free @ Columbus Zoo 8/01/2024 7:39 AMThank you so much for participating! We're so glad that the actions and the challenge as a whole had a positive impact for you. And I agree - the larger systemic changes will definitely take some hard work but it's so necessary.
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REFLECTION QUESTIONStudy Divest and ReinvestWhere we choose to spend (and invest) our money is one of the most powerful ways we can shape the future we want. What are some other ways you can ensure that your money is being used in ways that align with your personal values?
Ashley Stracke 7/31/2024 8:20 PMI thought it was interesting that a cursory look at the City of Los Angeles Retirement System (LACERS), shows a number of attempts by political leaders requesting divesting from fossil fuels, but that the LACERS Board continues to come back with a non-answer (https://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2019/19-1577_rpt_LACERS_04-28-21.pdf). It seems like every couple of years, this topic comes up, and then the Board responds with "we have a detailed plan for how to address "risky/climate investments," but with no real meat to the bones (i.e. divesting from fossil fuels). Perhaps I was looking at old paperwork. Please let me know if that's the case. I will continue to do research on this. Divesting is an important tool and I think it's interesting that Ireland New York and San Francisco were all able to fully divest from fossil fuels and still maintain their fiduciary responsibility. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONStudy Follow the Chasing ArrowsRecycling right requires both systemic change and personal and community awareness. How can you expand what you've learned about the chasing arrows symbol to encourage broader changes in your community?
Ashley Stracke 7/30/2024 2:21 PMI really did think that the chasing arrows meant something... but I was surprised to find out that they really do not (or at least not one thing in particular). I honestly can't believe that recycling is totally overseen at the municipal level (as opposed to the federal level) and that there aren't more stringent communications/marketing laws in place. There need to be consequences for companies. They need to bear the burden of their excess/plastic packaging.-
Jeanne Poirier 7/30/2024 6:03 PMEven if it works like a deposit/return via consumers - think bottle bill. Yes, I agree with you, ultimately the producer needs to be responsible for the product.
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Ashley Stracke 7/30/2024 1:49 PMAs someone who prides herself on being informed, I was suprised to find out how much I didn't know about plastics. I really appreciated all of the information and insight this challenge provided as well as how it kept plastics towards the front of my mind throughout the month. I hope that we're still able to access this information and the differen tasks after the Challenge is over, if only for my personal use and continued education.-
Plastic Free @ Columbus Zoo 7/30/2024 6:57 PMDon't worry - this website will always be available for you to return to again and again for exactly that purpose!
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REFLECTION QUESTIONStudy Greenwashing ProAs you were learning about greenwashing, were there any companies you previously supported that you now think might be greenwashing us? How can you tell?
Ashley Stracke 7/25/2024 4:31 PMI didn't realize how rampant greenwashing was or how little regulations there are for this type of thing. It seems like the only way forward is seeing if there are third party certifications that validate companies... or trying to read between the lines by doing greater digging on their websites to see what their actual commitment is. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONStudy Dig into BioplasticsWhat did you learn about bioplastic production and disposal? Did anything surprise you? Are bioplastics accepted by your city's waste management?
Ashley Stracke 7/23/2024 7:52 PMThe other day, I was at a restaurant and I read on my cup that it was "compostable at a special facility." I had never seen that before but it I was curious what it meant. Now I know after reading up on bioplastics. How incredibly disappointing. There needs to be better regulation of eco/green terms and usage. I am so glad I know more about bioplastics now. I'm going to pretty much tell everyone I see using them. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Meatless MealsShare your favorite "Meatless Monday" recipe with us!
Ashley Stracke 7/22/2024 1:59 PMMeatless Mondays are really easy... if you remember to do it. It seems like in addition to everything having plastic, all the food we eat has meat in it. : / -
REFLECTION QUESTIONKitchen Embrace ImperfectionHow has embracing imperfection impacted your plastic-free journey?
Ashley Stracke 7/22/2024 1:57 PMIt's horrifying to see how much plastic is in our lives. I mean, down to the toilet paper packaging! It feels like an uphill battle... but an important one to fight. I do wonder if we'd be better off banning the use of plastics/petroleum-based products at the legislative level.