Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

Move beyond your inner circle to support change in local groups, schools, workplaces, and organizations. These actions create ripple effects by helping communities adopt more sustainable practices together.

Learn about community-level options to reduce plastic

Widespread change starts with local action and community innovation. I will spend (___) minutes learning about programs or initiatives in my area that reduce plastic use, such as third-party sanitization services, repair cafes, food gleaning, lending libraries, bulk or thrift stores, bans on single-use items, or zero-waste businesses.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Ecochallenge Tips for Exploring Community-level Options
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DAILY ACTION
Share a favorite low-plastic product or tip on social media

Simple swaps or strategies can inspire others—especially when shared publicly. I will post about a favorite plastic-free product or habit on social media to help normalize sustainable choices and show others that small changes are doable and worth trying.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Six Ways to Help People Change
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DAILY ACTION
Recommend a documentary, podcast, or article about plastic to others

People are more likely to take action when someone they trust makes a recommendation. I will share a documentary, podcast, or article that helped me understand the impact of plastic to spark curiosity, conversation, and action in others.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Documentaries, Podcasts, and Articles to Get You Started

11 Zero Waste Documentaries

Popular Zero Waste Books
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DAILY ACTION
Leave a positive review for a business offering low-waste options

Businesses take notice when we show support for their sustainable choices—and so do our friends and neighbors. I will write a positive review for and personally recommend a business that offers low-plastic or refillable options to help others discover it and demonstrate that sustainability is valued by customers.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Share a business you support with the Ecochallenge community!

Explore This Green Business Network Directory

Find Sustainable Companies Both Locally and Globally with GreenMeLocally

This Map Lists Over 12,800 Eco-Friendly Businesses Across Various Sectors
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DAILY ACTION
Teach or learn a skill to extend the life of a product I have

Learning or sharing repair skills can keep useful items in use and out of the landfill. I will teach or learn a skill to extend the life of a product — like sewing, electronic repair, or furniture restoration — and share what I did with my community, workplace, or group to encourage others to do the same.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

How to fix your stuff

Repair Guides to Fix Most of Your Stuff

Making the most of materials: Africa’s skills in repair and repurposing point the way for the Global North
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Start a plastic reduction conversation at school, work, or a community group

Big changes often begin with one bold conversation. I will bring up the topic of reducing plastic at school, work, or in a group I’m part of, planting the seed for collective action.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

These Businesses are Saving Thousands by Replacing Single-Use Plastic

Actions You Can Take to Reduce Plastics

Case Study: The Cost and Environmental Benefits of Using Reusable Food Ware in Schools
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Put up a sign or note about reducing plastic at a shared space (kitchen, dorm, office)

Visual cues can inspire action in shared spaces. I will place a friendly sign or reminder in a common area — like a kitchen, bathroom, or office — to encourage less plastic use and spark conversation. I’ll include a clear, specific call to action so people know exactly how to take the next step.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Eliminating Disposables at Work

How to Reduce Single-Use Plastic: Simple Steps for a Greener Kitchen

The ultimate guide to create your own flyer design in Canva
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Organize a plastic audit in my workplace or community group

Understanding what types of plastic show up most can inspire smarter solutions. I will organize or take part in a group plastic audit to track what’s being used and start a conversation about alternatives.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

How to Do a Plastics Audit

Zero Waste Business Principles

Learn the Basics of a Zero Waste Lifestyle with Moji Igun and Tori (Financial Feminist Podcast)
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Set up a Free Store for surplus items

Sharing or giving away unwanted items can reduce plastic waste and build community connections. I will set up or promote a free store at my workplace, school, or church to help redistribute surplus items — like office supplies, kitchenware, clothing, or books — and keep them in use rather than buying new.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Free Store: Where Everything Is, Yes, Free (TIPS!)

How to start a free store in your community
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Encourage my workplace to switch to reusable products

Every reusable cup, plate, or utensil at work makes a difference. I will talk with my team or leadership about switching to reusable products in shared spaces like break rooms or kitchens.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Eliminating Disposables at Work

8 Ways To Reduce Single Use Waste In The Workplace
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Host a “bring your own container” lunch or event

Gatherings are a great time to model new habits. I will plan or participate in a lunch or event where people bring their own containers, utensils, or cups to reduce single-use plastic.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

6 Benefits of Bringing Your Own Container

How Modeling Behavior is an Effective Way to Inspire Behavior Change
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Create or distribute a guide to reducing plastic in my community, organization, or a group

Clear, accessible information makes it easier for others to take action. I will create or share a simple guide with tips, resources, or local options to help people in my community, organization, or group reduce plastic use.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Plastic Free Guides

(Video 11:27) How to make Eye-Catching Pamphlets

7 Tips for Getting People to Care
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Find or suggest a refill station or reusable system

Access is key to making sustainable choices easier. I will suggest a refill station (like for water, soap, or dry goods) or a returnable container system in a space I use regularly — such as a school, office, store, or gym — to help make plastic-free options more visible and convenient for everyone.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Refill Ambassadors: Where to find refill stations near you!

Get Inspired by This App Connecting People to Refill Stations

A 7-Step Guide to Building Your Reusables System
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Promote plastic awareness during an event or meeting

Events are powerful moments to inspire change. I will include a brief message, resource, or tip about reducing plastic at a meeting, celebration, or community gathering I attend or help organize.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

Refill Ambassadors: Where to find refill stations near you!

Get Inspired by This App Connecting People to Refill Stations

A 7-Step Guide to Building Your Reusables System
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ONE-TIME ACTION
Participate in or organize a community clean up

Plastic pollution is visible in many communities. I will take part in or organize a cleanup event to remove litter, raise awareness, and spark conversations about how plastic ends up in our environment.
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ACTION RESOURCES:

How to Host a Cleanup

Find Volunteer Opportunities

Five Ways to Make Your Cleanup More Sustainable
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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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