Jeff Lancaster
"To be a responsible member of local and international community"
POINTS TOTAL
- 0 TODAY
- 55 THIS WEEK
- 205 TOTAL
participant impact
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UP TO2.0ideasshared
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UP TO220minutesspent learning
Jeff's actions
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 30 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.
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.
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 20 minutes exploring the differences between bioplastics, compostable plastics, and recyclable plastics—and what happens to each at the end of its life.
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.
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 45 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.
Lead the Way: Shape Your Community
Learn about community-level options to reduce plastic
Widespread change starts with local action and community innovation. I will spend 20 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.
Lead the Way: Shape Your Community
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.
Participant Feed
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Jeff Lancaster 7/24/2025 8:07 AM- Community Builder 🤝
Update on Microplastis from Copilot AI
Question: What PPM of microplastics in ground water or rivers is able to harmfully affect animals and humans?
There is currently no universally established PPM (parts per million) threshold of microplastics in groundwater or rivers that is definitively known to cause harm to humans or animals. However, research has shown that even low concentrations of microplastics can pose risks due to their ability to:
- Carry toxic chemicals like PCBs, PAHs, and heavy metals.
- Cause physical damage to aquatic organisms through ingestion.
- Disrupt endocrine and immune systems in both wildlife and potentially humans.
Key Findings from Recent Studies:
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Groundwater studies have found microplastics predominantly in urban, industrial, and landfill areas, with concentrations varying widely due to inconsistent sampling methods
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Monitoring challenges include lack of standardized detection methods, making it difficult to compare results or set safety thresholds
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. - In rivers like the Huron River, microplastics have been found to accumulate harmful substances, increasing their toxicity even at low concentrations
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Health and Ecological Impacts:
- Aquatic animals: Ingestion of microplastics can lead to internal injuries, reduced feeding, and reproductive issues.
- Humans: While the full health impact is still under investigation, microplastics have been detected in human blood, lungs, and placenta, raising concerns about long-term exposure.
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Jeff Lancaster 7/24/2025 8:10 AM- Community Builder 🤝
Bought some cotton clothing to reduce effects of microplastics. Much of the exposure is from clothing, carpeting, as well as contaminated water. Using filters will help. Currently filtering tap water if used for drinking.
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Jeff Lancaster 7/21/2025 7:18 AM- Community Builder 🤝
Microplastics and Heart Disease: What the Research Shows
1. Microplastics in Arterial Plaque
- A 2024 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that microplastics were present in the plaque removed from the neck arteries of 58% of 257 patients.
- Those with microplastics in their plaque had a 4.5 times higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or death over a three-year period compared to those without microplastics.
Microplastics in arteries linked to heart disease riskhealth.harvard.edu-
Alexia Woerner 7/21/2025 8:57 AM- Adventurer 🏔
That’s so interesting. The more that comes out about micro plastics the more dangerous they seem
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Jeff Lancaster 7/09/2025 6:52 AM- Community Builder 🤝
From Copilot. About BPA's included inside cans using epoxy liners.
What canned vegetables have Bisphenol A for the linerCopilot said:Copilot
Many canned vegetables still use Bisphenol A (BPA) in their liners, although the industry is gradually moving towards BPA-free alternatives. Here are some examples of canned vegetables that may still contain BPA:
Common Canned Vegetables with BPA Liners
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Green Beans: Some brands still use BPA in the linings of their canned green beans
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Corn: Canned corn from certain manufacturers may contain BPA
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Peas: BPA can be found in the linings of some canned peas
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Mixed Vegetables: Various brands of mixed vegetables in cans may still use BPA liners
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Brands to Check
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Del Monte: While Del Monte has made efforts to reduce BPA, some of their canned vegetables may still contain BPA
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Green Giant: Similar to Del Monte, Green Giant is transitioning to BPA-free linings, but some products may still have BPA
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Identifying BPA-Free Options
- Labels: Look for cans labeled as "BPA-free" or "Bisphenol-free."
- Manufacturer Information: Check the manufacturer's website or contact them directly to confirm if their cans are BPA-free.
By being aware of these details, you can make more informed choices when purchasing canned vegetables. If you have any specific brands or products in mind, I can look up more detailed information for you. Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to know!
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Jeff Lancaster 7/08/2025 2:59 PM- Community Builder 🤝
Looking at BPA's today. Discovered that most cans have it in the liners. Would not ever thought without the challenge. -
Jeff Lancaster 7/03/2025 7:20 AM- Community Builder 🤝
Been excited to start the first beyond plastics ecochallenge here, in 2025!
Hoping to change some of my habits and be healthier for myself and the community.
Go HVM! -
Jeff Lancaster 6/27/2025 7:46 AM- Community Builder 🤝
Focusing on the health benefits of not using plastics. There are a number of health risks, but looking into the regularity and severity of them.
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Jeff Lancaster 6/27/2025 7:55 AM- Community Builder 🤝
Looking at recycling plastic to reduce toxicity in the environment. https://youtu.be/BwJuhTGInIE?si=KLPCH6R_5fmEEDl6
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Jeff Lancaster 6/25/2025 10:07 AM- Community Builder 🤝
Really excited to shine in this challenge. It's one of the foremost focused efforts in the area of sustainability in my life. While daunting to say the least, it's worth addressing, learning about, and making small goal to do my part in our community. Oklahoma USA