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Jen Jerome's avatar

Jen Jerome

South Carolina Aquarium

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 727 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    plastic footprint
    calculated
  • UP TO
    22
    plastic items
    avoided
  • UP TO
    1.0
    low-plastic business
    supported
  • UP TO
    1.0
    idea
    shared
  • UP TO
    175
    minutes
    spent learning

Jen's actions

First Steps: Start with You

Understand plastic labels

Those recycling numbers and symbols can be confusing. I will spend 20 minutes learning what different plastic labels mean, including what can and can’t be recycled, to make more informed choices when I shop.

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

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.

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

First Steps: Start with You

Discover the difference between bioplastics, compostable plastics, and recyclable plastics

Not all “eco-friendly” plastics are created equal. I will spend 60 minutes exploring the differences between bioplastics, compostable plastics, and recyclable plastics—and what happens to each at the end of its life.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

First Steps: Start with You

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 30 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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

First Steps: Start with You

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 30 minutes learning why plastic recycling falls short and what really happens to plastic waste.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

First Steps: Start with You

Check recycling near me

Recycling rules vary by location. I’ll spend 60 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.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

First Steps: Start with You

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

First Steps: Start with You

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed


  • Jen Jerome's avatar
    Jen Jerome 7/25/2025 6:37 AM
    Although I strive throughout the year to reduce and reuse plastics as much as possible, I enjoy this challenge because there’s so much to learn. Last week I traveled to California, and although I took my little cutlery kit, plates and of Course water bottles , I found the airport a huge challenge to avoid using any plastic packaging. I plan to pack meals for the journey next time . And on the trip, I shopped at local markets when available , brought along a collapsible cooler for perishables and reused any containers that were resealable pretty successfully.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
    Why did you choose that particular gift, and how was it received? What conversations did it spark? Post a pic of the gift in the feed!

    Jen Jerome's avatar
    Jen Jerome 7/11/2025 4:19 PM
    Gave a friend a reusable cutlery set , including stainless steel straws. She had observed me using them in the past .
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    First Steps: Start with You
    What influenced your decision on what to swap, and how does that small change feel in the bigger picture? Was the swap easy or difficult? What did it make you realize about convenience, cost, or access to better options?

    Jen Jerome's avatar
    Jen Jerome 7/02/2025 11:20 AM
    I have swapped from using plastic bags for produce to using mesh bags . It’s a simple swap, and I feel good about using them at the grocery store and farm stands .
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
    What 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!

    Jen Jerome's avatar
    Jen Jerome 7/02/2025 11:13 AM
    I have been using a kit with metal knife, fork, spoon and fork for some time now for use at events and casual restaurants that use plastic. I am adding reusable plates, cup and cloth napkin after watching the video . I have modeled it at oyster roasts, and encouraged others to think about using something similar . Reactions range from curiosity to “why haven’t I thought about doing that”!