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Matthew Wilson's avatar

Matthew Wilson

South Carolina Aquarium

"Working to minimize consumption of plastics on the personal, local, national, and global levels through a conservation-focused mindset and background."

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 243 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    low-plastic meal
    consumed
  • UP TO
    5.0
    plastic items
    avoided
  • UP TO
    2.0
    advocacy actions
    completed
  • UP TO
    95
    minutes
    spent learning

Matthew's actions

First Steps: Start with You

Understand plastic labels

Those recycling numbers and symbols can be confusing. I will spend 30 minutes learning what different plastic labels mean, including what can and can’t be recycled, to make more informed choices when I shop.

COMPLETED 2
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 120 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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Change the Game: Shift Systems and Policies

Learn about policies that support reducing plastics

Policy is one of the most powerful tools for reducing plastic waste at scale. I will spend 120 minutes learning about current or proposed plastic-related policies, such as bans on single-use plastics or extended producer responsibility laws, to better understand how systems can change.

COMPLETED 2
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 0
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

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.

UNCOMPLETED
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.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

Put up a sign or note about reducing plastic at a shared space (kitchen, dorm, office)

Visual cues can inspire action in shared spaces. I will place a friendly sign or reminder in a common area — like a kitchen, bathroom, or office — to encourage less plastic use and spark conversation. I’ll include a clear, specific call to action so people know exactly how to take the next step.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Change the Game: Shift Systems and Policies

Switch to investments that avoid fossil fuels and plastics

Where we put our money matters. I will research and invest in companies, funds, or assets that avoid investing in fossil fuels and plastic production, aligning my finances with my values.

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.

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

Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

Learn about community-level options to reduce plastic

Widespread change starts with local action and community innovation. I will spend 120 minutes learning about programs or initiatives in my area that reduce plastic use, such as third-party sanitization services, repair cafes, food gleaning, lending libraries, bulk or thrift stores, bans on single-use items, or zero-waste businesses.

COMPLETED 3
DAILY ACTIONS

Level Up: Influence Friends and Family

Make a room plastic-free with someone else

Transforming a space together can build momentum and spark conversation. I will work with someone else to remove or replace plastics in one room of our home or work place, such as the kitchen, lunch room, or bathroom.

UNCOMPLETED
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

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

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

First Steps: Start with You

Explore plastic’s impact on communities

Plastic pollution doesn’t affect everyone equally. I will spend 180 minutes learning how plastic production, use, and disposal harm communities — especially those near waste sites.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Participant Feed


  • Matthew Wilson's avatar
    Matthew Wilson 7/04/2025 8:37 PM
    • Earth Advocate 📣
    I've been finding that sone things, such as grocery items, don't really have non- plastic options. At least at the stores I go to. Something I like to buy is Hommus, and it only comes in plastic containers. While you can definitely reuse these containers as other food storage or for crafts or other things around the house, the plastic can still negatively impact the environment. I've resolved to learn how to make good Hommus before the month's end.

    • AJ Warren's avatar
      AJ Warren 7/09/2025 9:39 AM
      • Pet Parent 🐾
      Great job, Matthew! You've inspired me to find a staple in my diet that comes in a plastic container and learn how to make it myself instead of repurchasing that item every time. Congrats on taking the initiative to learn this skill! If you find a recipe you really like, I'd love to hear about it and how to make it!

    • laura cecile wulf-eck's avatar
      laura cecile wulf-eck 7/06/2025 12:06 PM
      This is a great plan, Hummus is really easy to make and you will be stunned at how much cheaper it is to do yourself. Plus you can spice it up or add whatever you like

  • Matthew Wilson's avatar
    Matthew Wilson 7/02/2025 6:28 PM
    • Earth Advocate 📣
    Today, I focused on putting up two signs in shared spaces as reminders to keep an eye on plastic usage, as well as learning more about plastic label meanings. Thanks to looking further into plastic label meanings, I came to understand that the recycle symbol will sometimes have different things in the center- example different single digit numbers can describe what the use is for, and the type of plastic resin used. '5' is for polypropylene containers which may include yogurt containers, medicine bottles, and straws. Prior to this, I had not realised that plastic was labeled like this, nor that the material was a type of resin. I'll be interested to see what type of plastic I find myself using the most over the month of July.

  • Matthew Wilson's avatar
    Matthew Wilson 7/01/2025 6:09 PM
    • Earth Advocate 📣
    I'm interested to see how much knowledge is gained throughout this, and the positive impact we will each see from being a part of this challenge. I have already started to look further into local plastic reduction, as well as for my family and friends in other areas.