First Steps: Start with You

Begin your journey by learning more about plastic, reflecting on your own habits, and taking small, meaningful actions. These choices lay the foundation for sustainable change by starting where it matters most — with you.

Learn how plastic is made

Understanding the origins of plastic helps us see its environmental impact more clearly. I will spend (___) minutes learning how plastic is made — from fossil fuels to finished product — and reflect on how that knowledge influences my choices.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

(Video 6:00) Plastics 101 from National Geographic

The 7 Types of Plastic You Need to Know (And How to Recycle Them)

(Video 5:33) A Brief History of Plastic
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DAILY ACTION
Understand Plastic’s Impact on My Health

Plastics can leach harmful chemicals into food, water, and the air we breathe. I will spend (___) minutes learning about the health impacts of plastic exposure and explore safer swaps — like choosing glass or stainless steel over plastic for food storage and drinking water.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Plastics and Human Health

What You Need to Know About the Impact of Plastics on Human Health

(Video 2:01) Chemicals in Plastics by UNEP
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DAILY ACTION
Understand plastic labels

Those recycling numbers and symbols can be confusing. I will spend (___) minutes learning what different plastic labels mean, including what can and can’t be recycled, to make more informed choices when I shop.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

(Video 2:36) What does the recycling symbol really mean?

Understanding Recycling Symbols

Chasing arrows' symbol doesn't guarantee an item is recyclable
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DAILY ACTION
Discover the difference between bioplastics, compostable plastics, and recyclable plastics

Not all “eco-friendly” plastics are created equal. I will spend (___) minutes exploring the differences between bioplastics, compostable plastics, and recyclable plastics—and what happens to each at the end of its life.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Biodegradable vs Compostable vs Recyclable

False Promise of Bioplastics and Compostable Plastics

(Video 9:48) Is bioplastic the "better" plastic?
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DAILY ACTION
Find out why plastic recycling isn’t working as we expect and where plastics end up

Many of us recycle with good intentions, but most plastic doesn’t get recycled. I will spend (___) minutes learning why plastic recycling falls short and what really happens to plastic waste.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Where Your Recycled Plastic Ends Up

Why is Most Plastic Not Recycled?

(Video 10:56) Understanding the Truth of the Recycling and Waste Industries
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DAILY ACTION
Check recycling near me

Recycling rules vary by location. I’ll spend (___) minutes learning which plastics my local program accepts. This helps me avoid “wishcycling” — tossing items in the bin and hoping they’ll be recycled, even if they aren’t.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

North America: Earth 911

Wishcycling: how ‘eco-friendly’ labels confuse shoppers and make recycling less effective

Recycling Myths, Debunked
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DAILY ACTION
Explore plastic’s impact on communities

Plastic pollution doesn’t affect everyone equally. I will spend (___) minutes learning how plastic production, use, and disposal harm communities — especially those near waste sites.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Environmental Justice and Plastics

How Plastic Creates Injustice

(Video 17:43) "Pollution Is Segregated" Says the Father of Environmental Justice
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DAILY ACTION
Put reusables where I'll remember them

Reusables only help if we use them! I will set up a system that helps me remember my reusable bags, bottles, containers, or utensils — whether that means keeping them by the door, in my car, or in my bag.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Practical Tips for Remembering Your Reusables

Making Your Reusables a Priority
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DAILY ACTION
Estimate My Plastic Consumption

Understanding my plastic footprint is a powerful first step toward making change. I will complete a short online plastic calculator, like the one from rePurpose Global, to estimate my annual plastic use and explore ways to reduce it.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Earth Day's Plastic Pollution Calculator

Plastic Bank's Footprint Calendar

Fashion Footprint Calculator
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Track my plastic use for a day or a week

Awareness is the first step toward change. I’ll track how much plastic I use in a day (or week), paying attention to packaging, food containers, and single-use items. I’ll reflect on what surprised me most and what I could do differently.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

How To Conduct a Household Waste Audit

How to perform a personal waste audit

(Video 2:07) How a waste audit can help your plastic-free journey
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DAILY ACTION
Try one low-plastic meal

From plastic-wrapped produce to takeout containers, food is one of the biggest sources of single-use plastic. I will enjoy one meal using ingredients and tools that minimize plastic packaging — opting for items in aluminum, paper, steel cans, or glass jars instead of plastic. I’ll also use a water refill station instead of single-use bottles to keep the meal as plastic-free as possible.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

(Video 9:29) Zero Waste Grocery Shopping for Beginners

Simple Plastic Free Meals

Tips for Low Waste Grocery Shopping without Bulk Bins
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DAILY ACTION
Swap one product for a refillable or plastic-free option

Even small swaps can add up to big impact. I will replace one product I use regularly — like soap, cleaning spray, or snacks — with a refillable or plastic-free version.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Eco-Friendly Alternatives for the Plastic in Your Life

How to Reduce Plastic Waste

Reddit's r/ZeroWaste Community Online Platform
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Choose secondhand or a recycled product for my next purchase

Buying recycled or secondhand products helps close the loop and reduces demand for new plastic. I will look for and purchase a product made from recycled materials or choose a secondhand option the next time I shop to keep valuable resources in use longer.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Recycled Products Directory

Companies That Sell Only 100% Recycled Products

Buy Nothing: Join a Waste-Reduction Community
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Support businesses with plastic-free or refillable options

Where we spend our money shapes the market. I will support a business that offers plastic-free, low-waste, or refillable products or services.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Share a business you support with the Ecochallenge community!

Companies That Sell Only 100% Recycled Products

Zero Waste Grocery Store Guide in the US

Imagine a Supermarket with no Plastic
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Design my grocery routine for less plastic

Our grocery habits are one of the biggest sources of single-use plastic, from packaging on produce to plastic bags and containers. I will spend (___) minutes researching low-plastic shopping strategies and make a list of things to look for or do differently the next time I go to the store.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

(Video 9:29) Zero Waste Grocery Shopping for Beginners

Plastic-Free Grocery Shopping Guide

Zero Waste Grocery Store Guide in the US
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ONE-TIME ACTION
CREATE A CUSTOM ACTION

Ideally, you’ll choose at least one measurable goal so that you can measure your success but there are no limits on what you can choose—so exercise your creativity!

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