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Shannon Sheck's avatar

Shannon Sheck

Akron Zoo

"My goal during PFJ is to spread awareness to my friends and family!"

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 520 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    61
    plastic items
    avoided
  • UP TO
    2.0
    low-plastic businesses
    supported
  • UP TO
    20
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    41
    conversations
    with people
  • UP TO
    1.0
    idea
    shared
  • UP TO
    25
    minutes
    spent learning

Shannon's 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 30 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

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

Level Up: Influence Friends and Family

Invite others to join the Ecochallenge

Our actions are more powerful when we take them together. I will invite someone to join the Ecochallenge with me so we can learn and take action together.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

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

Start a household challenge to reduce plastic

Change starts at home. I will create a fun challenge with my household — like using no single-use plastic for a day or swapping out a product — to make plastic reduction a shared goal.

COMPLETED
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 3
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

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

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

Start a plastic reduction conversation at school, work, or a community group

Big changes often begin with one bold conversation. I will bring up the topic of reducing plastic at school, work, or in a group I’m part of, planting the seed for collective action.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

Encourage my workplace to switch to reusable products

Every reusable cup, plate, or utensil at work makes a difference. I will talk with my team or leadership about switching to reusable products in shared spaces like break rooms or kitchens.

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 0
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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

Participant Feed

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    First Steps: Start with You
    What patterns did you notice in your plastic use — and what would it take to shift one of them?

    Shannon Sheck's avatar
    Shannon Sheck 7/21/2025 6:41 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    I already recycle on a regular basis at both work and at home. However, I really paid attention to those things I don't typically look at-- like my skincare and body products. I realized just how much of that stuff is all in plastic containers. I've been researching similar products to what I use that come in more sustainable or reusable packaging!

    • Shae Rutherford's avatar
      Shae Rutherford 7/21/2025 9:11 AM
      It's certainly a process researching and finding new products. Refill stations and shops are also a great resource to reuse containers for shampoo and the like, but they're a rare find in many areas. There are more popping up though, as awareness and demand for sustainable options increases.

  • Shannon Sheck's avatar
    Shannon Sheck 7/17/2025 6:49 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    While I am consistently looking for new ways to incorporate recycled products into my life, I feel as though this time as captain I have gained so much from everyone on this team. I love seeing the new ideas and thoughts that folks put forward, as it motivates me each time I read them!

  • Shannon Sheck's avatar
    Shannon Sheck 7/15/2025 6:07 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    While working the register yesterday, which I don't typically get to do, I noticed just how many tags we offer to cut off of toys and plush for our guests and they get tossed. I decided to get an empty jar and start to fill it, then weigh it, to see just how much we have been tossing that could be recycled in the shop. I'm excited to have a more permanent solution moving forward!

    • Kerry Keck's avatar
      Kerry Keck 7/15/2025 4:15 PM
      This sounds like a very interesting project! Best wishes on finding that permanent solution to tag disposal.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
    What did your household choose to focus on, and what was it like to work toward change together? What helped or hindered your progress?

    Shannon Sheck's avatar
    Shannon Sheck 7/07/2025 11:06 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    This wasn't my household, however, when I was at my parent's house over the weekend I noticed just how much plastic they had for their choices in drinks! They always have a fully stocked fridge because we're a big family. So I talked to my mom about switching out anything bottled to cans!

  • Shannon Sheck's avatar
    Shannon Sheck 7/06/2025 6:01 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    First week down! :) I love seeing what everyone is working on and learning. Let's continue to be champions for our planet!

  • Shannon Sheck's avatar
    Shannon Sheck 7/01/2025 7:15 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • Wildlife Guardian 🦉
    I am SO excited to do all of this with you! Thank you so much for being a part of something bigger than ourselves and taking steps towards a more sustainable future!

    • Sunny W's avatar
      Sunny W 7/01/2025 8:20 AM
      I love the owl on your wildlife guardian designation. I live in a heavily wooded area that is routinely visited by Barred
      owls and have a large bath dedicated to their use. And they do love it!