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Jonelle Meyer's avatar

Jonelle Meyer

The Florida Aquarium

"Going beyond recycling to creatively impact my own health as well as my community's. "

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 766 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    10
    low-plastic meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    25
    plastic items
    avoided
  • UP TO
    1.0
    low-plastic business
    supported
  • UP TO
    2.0
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    26
    minutes
    spent learning

Jonelle's actions

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Level Up: Influence Friends and Family

Visit a local recycling center, landfill, or transfer station

Seeing where waste goes can change how we think about what we throw away. I will visit a local facility to learn more about the waste stream in my community and share what I learn with others and in the feed.

UNCOMPLETED
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

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

First Steps: Start with You

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 5 minutes exploring the differences between bioplastics, compostable plastics, and recyclable plastics—and what happens to each at the end of its life.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

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

First Steps: Start with You

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.

COMPLETED 21
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Level Up: Influence Friends and Family

Create a reminder system or routine for remembering reusables

Even the best intentions can be forgotten in the rush of daily life. I will create a system — like a note on the door or a checklist — to help me and others in my household remember to grab our reusables before we go.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Level Up: Influence Friends and Family

Catch microplastics in laundry before they spread

Washing synthetic fabrics releases tiny plastic fibers that end up in our waterways. I will install a washing machine filter or use a microplastic-catching device to capture microplastics before they leave my home — and I will share what I did and why with others to inspire more sustainable laundry habits.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Level Up: Influence Friends and Family

Host or attend a clothing swap

Fast fashion is a major source of plastic pollution. I will organize a clothing swap with friends, neighbors, or coworkers to keep clothes in use longer, reduce plastic-based textiles, and build community.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

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.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

First Steps: Start with You

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.

COMPLETED 9
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Change the Game: Shift Systems and Policies

Ask a local restaurant to allow reusables or reduce packaging

Food businesses are major sources of single-use plastic. I will talk to a local café, food truck, or restaurant about allowing reusable containers, more sustainable materials, or cutting down on unnecessary plastic packaging.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 20 minutes learning how plastic is made — from fossil fuels to finished product — and reflect on how that knowledge influences my choices.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Share My Why

Take the Beyond Plastic Ecochallenge Feedback Survey

I will take a short survey about my experience to help the Ecochallenge team improve future events, earn a chance to win a prize, and earn 15 points!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Share My Why

Share My Why

I will share my Ecochallenge story and why I'm taking action for the planet — and earn 15 points!

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Participant Feed


  • Jonelle Meyer's avatar
    Jonelle Meyer 7/31/2025 8:27 PM
    • Earth Advocate 📣
    We did it! Congrats on your hard work, everyone!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
    What 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!

    Jonelle Meyer's avatar
    Jonelle Meyer 7/31/2025 8:18 PM
    • Earth Advocate 📣
    Utensils and a to go box. It reduced a small amount of my plastic use, but I still did it!
  • 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?

    Jonelle Meyer's avatar
    Jonelle Meyer 7/31/2025 8:16 PM
    • Earth Advocate 📣
    I made sure to actually use my personal cup for every Starbucks visit and I did! What I realized is going in person is better than mobile orders because sometimes they ignore your request. :/
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Change the Game: Shift Systems and Policies
    How did the restaurant respond, and what challenges or opportunities came up in the conversation?

    Jonelle Meyer's avatar
    Jonelle Meyer 7/31/2025 8:14 PM
    • Earth Advocate 📣
    Well, they didn't respond, yet. But it's only been a few days and I feel confident about them responding if I email. They are really lovely people so I feel I can bring it up to the owner on my next visit as well. Hoping to make progress!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Change the Game: Shift Systems and Policies
    Why did this campaign resonate with you, and how do you think collective action like this can create change?

    Jonelle Meyer's avatar
    Jonelle Meyer 7/31/2025 8:11 PM
    • Earth Advocate 📣
    I think just the fact that more campaigns are popping up and getting traction is a great step in the direction of change.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    First Steps: Start with You
    How does understanding the origin of plastic change the way you think about using it in everyday life?

    Jonelle Meyer's avatar
    Jonelle Meyer 7/30/2025 2:34 PM
    • Earth Advocate 📣
    It's really interesting how plastic production spiraled so quickly. This information has certainly inspired me to continue to do all I can to reduce my use. I reflect often on the things I have/use/purchase, and can I make use out of every part of it. What can I reuse - as this is now becoming what is most important to me - considering avoiding plastic completely is nearly impossible.

  • Jonelle Meyer's avatar
    Jonelle Meyer 7/30/2025 2:31 PM
    • Earth Advocate 📣
    I won't be able to accomplish some of my larger tasks, but I still learned a lot this year! I'm proud of my TFA team for all that has been accomplished!

  • Jonelle Meyer's avatar
    Jonelle Meyer 7/30/2025 8:57 AM
    • Earth Advocate 📣
    What's your favorite part of the challenge so far? I think mine has been the deeper dive into learning the history of how plastic came about.

    • Ashley Chambers's avatar
      Ashley Chambers 7/31/2025 4:40 PM
      I think in an unfortunate way, mine was learning about how many ways we are connected and the challenges that arise when looking to avoid.

  • Jonelle Meyer's avatar
    Jonelle Meyer 7/30/2025 8:53 AM
    • Earth Advocate 📣
    As we near the end of the challenge each year, I always feel I am scrambling to do more, even though most practices are year round for me. I have to do staff laundry for our costumes. Maybe I can order the plastic catcher dealy today. Must do more!

  • Jonelle Meyer's avatar
    Jonelle Meyer 7/30/2025 8:51 AM
    • Earth Advocate 📣
    Any ideas on how we encourage people to order lunches for teams and such in a more sustainable way? How do we communicate that? I'd love to encourage some of these best practices. We don't usually use the 900 packets of mustard that come with the sandwich order, ya know?