Ben Hammond
7/18/2025 6:47 AM
- Water Protector 🌊
People have been very positively receptive of the reusable items that I bring with me. I hope that I have inspired a few to start carrying reusable items of their own.
Ben Hammond
"Make sure the outflow never sees a piece of plastic ever again. "
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 0 THIS WEEK
- 759 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO2.0low-plastic mealsconsumed
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UP TO75plastic itemsavoided
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UP TO1.0plastic footprintcalculated
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UP TO3.0advocacy actionscompleted
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UP TO1.0ideashared
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UP TO36conversationswith people
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UP TO535minutesspent learning
Ben's actions
First Steps: Start with You
Learn how plastic is made
Understanding the origins of plastic helps us see its environmental impact more clearly. I will spend 10 minutes learning how plastic is made — from fossil fuels to finished product — and reflect on how that knowledge influences my choices.
First Steps: Start with You
Understand Plastic’s Impact on My Health
Plastics can leach harmful chemicals into food, water, and the air we breathe. I will spend 15 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.
Change the Game: Shift Systems and Policies
Support a plastic or climate advocacy campaign
Advocacy campaigns can drive real change by amplifying public support. I will find and support a campaign — through a donation, signature, or share — that’s working to reduce plastic pollution or address the climate impacts of plastic.
First Steps: Start with You
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.
First Steps: Start with You
Understand plastic labels
Those recycling numbers and symbols can be confusing. I will spend 5 minutes learning what different plastic labels mean, including what can and can’t be recycled, to make more informed choices when I shop.
Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
Give a small gift that helps someone reduce plastic (e.g., tote, bottle, soap bar)
Giving can be an act of change and inspiration. I will give a thoughtful, plastic-free or plastic-reducing gift — like a reusable bag, bottle, or bar soap — to someone in my life and share why I chose it.
Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
Keep my reusable kit with me and model it in public
My everyday choices can influence others. I will carry and use a reusable kit in public spaces, modeling plastic-reducing behaviors and showing that small changes are possible.
Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
Prepare a low-plastic meal with a friend or family member
Reducing plastic can be easier — and more fun — when shared. I will plan and prepare a meal with friends or family that minimizes single-use packaging and plastic waste.
Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
Pack a low or no-plastic lunch and talk about it with others
Food packaging is a major source of plastic. I will pack a lunch with little or no plastic and use it as a conversation starter with coworkers, classmates, or friends to share tips and inspire change.
Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
Invite others to join the Ecochallenge
Our actions are more powerful when we take them together. I will invite someone to join the Ecochallenge with me so we can learn and take action together.
Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
Prep a reusable kit for on-the-go
Having reusables ready and integrated into your daily routine can help you avoid single-use plastic while out and about. I will put together a kit with items like a mug, water bottle, utensils, or tote bag to take with me when I leave the house.
Participant Feed
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Ben Hammond 7/19/2025 8:28 AM- Water Protector 🌊
I was able to rescue and properly dispose of some plastic waste from the beach, I often carry a reusable bag with me at the beach just for that purpose. Also, I was able to take some food waste/fruit and vegetable scraps to my neighbor who has chickens who could eat them for enrichment. -
REFLECTION QUESTION
Level Up: Influence Friends and FamilyWhat kind of reactions—if any—did you notice from others? How did it feel to model change publicly? Where did you use your reusables? Post a pic of your kit in the feed!
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Ben Hammond 7/12/2025 12:28 PM- Water Protector 🌊
Chipotle is one of my favorite ways to eat out with low plastic waste, zero personal plastic for most items if you have your own utensils. What are some of your favorite restaurants with little to no plastics? -
Ben Hammond 7/11/2025 8:21 PM- Water Protector 🌊
To stop coastal plastic pollution, which harms vulnerable habitats and species, individuals can bring reusable water bottles, containers, and mesh produce bags when shopping or packing for beach outings to avoid single-use plastics. Community groups can host monthly beach cleanups using tools like the Clean Swell app to track and report collected waste, helping inform policy. Businesses can switch to compostable or refillable packaging and join programs like Ocean Friendly Restaurants that reduce plastic use. Governments should pass legislation banning plastic bags, polystyrene containers, and microplastics in personal care products, while funding storm drain filtration and improved recycling systems in coastal cities.-
Luz Rooney 7/11/2025 8:38 PM- TEAM CAPTAIN
Great ideas, Ben. But remember, governments will not pass laws unless civil society acts. Missouri has preemption laws that prohibit a ban on plastic bags. This was passed by our state’s legislators. I am working with two non-profits to introduce changes to our plastic legislation in the Spring of 2026. Love the references to Clean Swell and Ocean Friendly Restaurants. Where are you located? Perhaps you can tell the group more about these resources. Keep up the good work
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Ben Hammond 7/10/2025 1:51 PM- Water Protector 🌊
I made time to sit and work at my local coffee shop so that I could use their in-house drink glass which is a good way to avoid using the plastic to-go cups. It was surprising to me how many people I noticed who were sitting in the coffee shop using the to-go cups even though they stayed until their drink was finished. I'm going to look into ways that the shop could incentivize their customers to use reusable cups more frequently and I'll try to bring that up to the barista or shop owner next time. Maybe there's a good option for a paper cup for cold drinks but that is another thing that I'm not sure I've seen before. -
REFLECTION QUESTION
Level Up: Influence Friends and FamilyHow did planning and preparing the meal together affect the conversation about plastic? Did it inspire any new habits?
Ben Hammond 7/10/2025 1:44 PM- Water Protector 🌊
For my low waste meal, we made fish tacos with cabbage slaw, quinoa, and salsa verde. We avoided single use plastic waste by purchasing the flounder filets from the seafood counter where they were wrapped in paper (we did have to request a double layer of paper instead of a plastic film wrapped in paper), by taking a reusable produce bag for the cabbage, limes, and cilantro, and by getting the quinoa from the bulk food section and using our own container. We already had the salsa verde which comes in a glass jar from trader joes (look for the hatch green chile salsa verde!! ITS SO GOOD!!). -
REFLECTION QUESTION
Level Up: Influence Friends and FamilyWhat items did you include in your kit, and how has it changed your habits outside the home? Post a photo of your reusable kit in the feed to inspire others!
Ben Hammond 7/10/2025 1:35 PM- Water Protector 🌊
This may seem silly but, I had never thought of creating a single "go-bag" with all of my reusables so that I had what I need when I need it. Previously I had the reusable items but I would only use them if I had planned ahead appropriately and sometimes I would forget them. Also, if my plans for the day changed or I made an unexpected stop then I would often be forced to buy and use single use plastic items. Having a pre-made kit helps so much and I am now recommending it to everyone!! -
REFLECTION QUESTION
Level Up: Influence Friends and FamilyWhat did you share about your lunch, and what kinds of responses did you get? Did the conversation open any doors? Post a pic of your meal in the feed!
Ben Hammond 7/10/2025 1:30 PM- Water Protector 🌊
I got to share that I pack my lunch in glass containers and pack metal utensils to eat with. I also brought some trail mix in a reusable bag and I got all the ingredients for that with my own containers at a bulk food store. People seemed to really like the idea of buying bulk ingredients and using your own containers as a cost and waste saving activity! -
Ben Hammond 7/09/2025 1:36 PM- Water Protector 🌊
Today I got the chance to talk to two of my local plant nurseries about switching from plastic pots (which frequently break and easily become waste) to more sustainable options depending on the growing needs of the plants. From durable and reusable grow bags that are made from a mix of recycled plastic from rescued plastic bottles and natural fibers to several options of biodegradable pots made from natural materials. I’m not sure if they will adopt any changes but they were nice enough to hear me out!-
Kerry Keck 7/09/2025 5:57 PMThis change is going to be dependent on plant wholesalers/growers (your nursery is the retailer). But hopefully you've started the conversation and your nursery will pass along the desire for sustainable, non-plastic pots. -
Miranda Pearson 7/09/2025 3:25 PM- Pet Parent 🐾
Good for you! Change may not happen right away, but at least the conversations get people thinking!
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Ben Hammond 7/08/2025 8:54 PM- Water Protector 🌊
Something I don’t understand is how Coca-Cola can be the number one plastic polluter in the world for six consecutive years and not have a single thought about wanting to fix that like the massive pr boost they would get for even going from first to fourth would be insane! But instead it has been found to be increasing the number of pollutants recorded that are linked to Coca-Cola each year. Why do these companies keep getting away with being responsible for making products that become plastic pollution?? Why are individuals complacent with that fact that 56 companies are responsible for producing HALF of the global plastic pollutants???