Skip to main content
AJ Warren's avatar

AJ Warren

South Carolina Aquarium

"Our mission is to inspire conservation of the natural world by exhibiting and caring for animals, by excelling in education and research and by providing an exceptional visitor experience."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 937 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    28
    low-plastic meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    88
    plastic items
    avoided
  • UP TO
    3.0
    low-plastic businesses
    supported
  • UP TO
    35
    individuals
    recognized for sustainability
  • UP TO
    1.0
    idea
    shared
  • UP TO
    10
    minutes
    spent learning

AJ's actions

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

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 30
DAILY ACTIONS

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 10 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.

COMPLETED
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 26
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

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

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

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.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Level Up: Influence Friends and Family

Celebrate someone else’s plastic-free effort

Positive reinforcement goes a long way in fostering sustainable change. I will celebrate someone’s effort to reduce plastic — whether big or small — by acknowledging their success in the feed or on social media and encouraging them to keep going.

COMPLETED 27
DAILY ACTIONS

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

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

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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

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 30
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed


  • AJ Warren's avatar
    AJ Warren 7/30/2025 8:17 AM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    My beyond plastic Eco challenge is going wonderfully, but is admittedly harder than anticipated. I quickly realized that just about everything we consume in our day to day life has plastic packaging (a lot of things even being shipped in plastic and then removed to seem more eco friendly) which can be very discouraging when trying to cut down on plastic consumption. This month has been incredibly eye opening though and has encouraged me to be more mindful about even the 'little' things such as bringing reusable containers or bags wherever I go!

    • Mary Hanks's avatar
      Mary Hanks 7/30/2025 12:45 PM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      AJ, it's clear that you've adjusted your lifestyle because of what you learned through your efforts, and that will make a difference...and other people will see what you're doing, and that will get at least some of THEM thinking about what they can do to make a difference...and as the cycle continues, the world is the winner, thanks to you! You had the courage and dedication to take action.

    • dgibbs@all4inc.com Gibbs's avatar
      [email protected] Gibbs 7/30/2025 9:42 AM
      • Adventurer 🏔
      I totally agree with the 'this is too much, how can I have any impact at all' feeling! One quote that I try to come back to when that feeling pops up is "Don't let perfect be the enemy of good." :)

  • AJ Warren's avatar
    AJ Warren 7/10/2025 7:03 AM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    Although it is a small win, I have tried to be incredibly conscious about bringing reusable bags anytime I am shopping. That is something I have found to be easy to forget when leaving the house so I typically try to keep two reusable bags in my car at all times. Again, a small win but an important habit to have nonetheless!

  • AJ Warren's avatar
    AJ Warren 7/03/2025 8:29 AM
    • Pet Parent 🐾
    If anyone is looking for a small business to support that offers refills on a number of household products and makes it their mission to cut down on plastic waste year round, Wake Refill (located at 37 Cleveland St #101, Charleston, SC 29403) is a fantastic option!

    • Linda Rowe's avatar
      Linda Rowe 7/04/2025 3:01 PM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      • Eco-Conscious Consumer 🛍
      Wake Refill is awesome; I agree!