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Welcome to Beyond Plastic Ecochallenge 2025!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Beyond Plastic Ecochallenge 2025 expert in no time!

Ecochallenge.org
Beyond Plastic Ecochallenge 2025
July 1 - July 31, 2025
Patty Niebergall's avatar

Patty Niebergall

U of R

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 95 THIS WEEK
  • 368 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    low-plastic business
    supported
  • UP TO
    82
    minutes
    spent learning

Patty's actions

First Steps: Start with You

Put reusables where I'll remember them

Reusables only help if we use them! I will set up a system that helps me remember my reusable bags, bottles, containers, or utensils — whether that means keeping them by the door, in my car, or in my bag.

COMPLETED 25
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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

COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS

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

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

  • Patty Niebergall's avatar
    Patty Niebergall 7/24/2025 9:51 AM
    Being consistently cognizant of plastics in the ocean when vacationing - picking up garbage on a beach. But closer to home trying to take action—like picking up a piece of garbage every day around campus usually on my way in —shows real environmental stewardship. Small, mindful actions like yours/ours can inspire others and create a ripple effect of positive change.
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