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.
UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION
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 5
DAILY ACTIONS
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 1
DAILY 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
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.
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
Change the Game: Shift Systems and Policies
Donate to organizations working on systemic plastic reform
Some nonprofits are leading the charge to change policies and corporate practices. I will donate to an organization working to reduce plastic at the source and promote systemic solutions for a healthier planet.
COMPLETED
ONE-TIME 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
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.
COMPLETED 4
DAILY ACTIONS
Participant Feed
REFLECTION
QUESTION
First Steps: Start with You
Did your estimated plastic footprint surprise you? How does it compare to the global average? After estimating your annual use, how did it feel to put a number on it? Did it inspire a sense of urgency, or something else?
I took the fashion footprint calculator for the first time ever, and I was surprised to learn that even though I have a low footprint, I still contribute 298 lbs. of CO2 annually. I hate shopping, so you would never find me in Mall aisles. When I make it to a department store it is because I am really in need of something. Clothes always look gorgeous on models, so I ignored the photos of skinny/happy people, and I set my goal on the fabrics or patterns instead. I do not shop online as this habit is killing the small shops in towns where you could really find quality of clothes.
Few years ago, they built an outlet mall near our gorgeous shopping mall in town. Today, the shopping mall and the outlet mall are out of business. It is hard to find clothes now, but I refused to order online. How about you?
By the way, I return catalogues to companies telling them of their environmental impact and asking them to take me off their mailing list. I do not use the term “footprint,” as this is one of those fossil fuel tactics to turn the blame on us for all the pollution in our world. British Petroleum came out with the term in 2000s as a rebranding strategy. How clever!
I came across this interview with Zoe Bystrov who at age 12 began a youth group to protect Lake Simcoe from plastic pollution. Please see the link below:
The University of Toronto and the World Health Organization (WHO) are hosting a workshop on Thursday, July 24th at 7:00 am CST entitled “Plastics in healthcare: Navigating the balance among access, health, and sustainability.” Please see registration information below:
The Aruba Conservation Foundation is hosting a screening of the documentary "Turning the Tide," on Wednesday, August 6th in Geneva during the UN Plastic Treaty negotiations in Geneva. I think I am going to host this documentary at my local library. I need to watch the entire film first to come up with an action plan. Please see few reference links below:
Please see a recording of today's presentation by Canadian environmental activist and artist, Benjamin Von Wong. He lists a calendar for his sculpture installation in Geneva which will be completed during the Plastic Treaty negotiations (INC-5.2). Spread the word if you have connections in Geneva. Thanks, Luz
On Saturday, July 12th I participated in a riverfront clean-up hosted by the Gateway Arch Park Foundation in St. Louis. They collaborate with Republic, our recycling service company. Republic brings their own staff to sort over trash, plastics, and other materials collected by volunteers to then separate metals/aluminum from plastics, for example, for material recovery purposes. We collected the following items in two hours with thirty-three volunteers. 139 lbs. of trash 30.20 lbs. of plastics 8.42 lbs. of mixed metals 5.60 lbs. of aluminum 6.70 lbs. of glass
For the past five years Canadian environmental activist and artist, Benjamin Von Wong and his team have been working on art installations to address many of the environmental issues phasing us today. He is currently working on his sixth sculpture installation for the Plastic Treaty negotiations in Geneva, and this effort requires partnerships and funding. I am in touch with Bejamin via his WhatsApp Geneva-based support team which allows for remote support. Today, July 17th, Benjamin spoke at a webinar hosted by the Geneva Environment Network where he called for financial assistance and volunteers, so I decided to go one step forward and donate to support this important work during INC-5.2 in Geneva. Please see a link to his work: https://unforgettablelabs.com/
How does working with others to clean up your community make you feel? What kinds of plastic waste did you find the most, and what does that say about local habits or systems?
I love participating in clean up events, especially when we engaged with community organizers in disadvantaged communities as this is a two-way learning opportunity to address the issue of plastic pollution, illegal dumping, and health concerns.
If anybody is in Geneva or has connections in Geneva, please note that Canadian environmental activist and artist Benjamin Von Vong needs your help.
The UN Plastic Treaty negotiations will begin on August 5th -14th in Geneva, and Benjaminwill be installing his sixth sculpture during the negotiation. This one is called "The Thinker's Burden," and it will be located at Place de Nations. I am in touch with Benjamin as he has a Geneva-Based support group that connects via WhatsApp. This group includes remote support.
Please note Benjamin needs volunteers in Geneva who can help him bag plastic items donated by Papirec SA., Geneva’s recycling company. This is happening tomorrow, Friday, July 18th at 1:00 pm. I am reaching out to see if you can help us spread the word. Please see information about his project which is already underway.
Please scroll down to "Artwork of Benjamin Von Wong"
I recommended the "Microplastic Madness" documentary to a group of people at a meeting. Cafeteria Culture produced the film. It is a story of plastics told by fourth and fifth graders from a public school in Brooklyn. The film describes the steps needed to involve youth and people in civil engagement. Please see Cafeteria Culture’s website below for more information:
