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  • Maya Pandey's avatar
    Maya Pandey 7/29/2025 10:49 AM
    Surprisingly pretty good! It was a bit difficult at first making these big changes to daily habits where I hadn't realized I was using plastic, like for my snacks that used single-use plastics. As the month is coming to a close, I've surprised myself with how easy some changes were to make; turns out there's a lot of alternative versions of my favorite snacks that use cardboard packaging instead. I've probably annoyed my family with how strict I've been about remembering to recycle at first, but jokes on them, they've started to set aside recyclables without me having to ask! It's really encouraging knowing that even though all these daily actions I've been doing feel small, I'm still making an impact on the planet!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    First Steps: Start with You
    How did you decide what to buy — and what factors mattered most in making that decision?

    Maya Pandey's avatar
    Maya Pandey 7/29/2025 10:35 AM
    My brother and I love going to thrift stores! I usually go for clothes that I can re-style to fit me. My brother usually goes for random electronics that he finds cool, like old computer parts or yet another Kindle (he currently has 8, and counting). He likes to take things apart and fix things that are broken so he can reuse them for himself or give away to others! It's not only inexpensive going to thrift stores, but I'm taking a chance on an item of clothing that I normally wouldn't go for, and my brother gets something cool to fiddle around with and give it another life!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
    What did you learn from organizing or attending the swap? Did it change your thinking about consumption or community? Post a pic of your favorite new-to-you item in the feed!

    • Educator 🧠
    My family did a large swap, so I got a lot of hand-me-downs from my brother and father. It was a fun experience overall!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
    What was the easiest and hardest part of making the room plastic-free? How did doing it with someone else change the experience?

    • Educator 🧠
    I had to consider the decorations that were in the room... so it led to a bit of a complete redesign.
  • 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?

    • Educator 🧠
    The main hinderance was that everyone does their own thing. Once we found things to collaborate on, teamwork made the dream work!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
    What did you learn from your visit, and how did it change the way you see your household waste? Post a pic from your visit in the feed!

    • Educator 🧠
    The recycling center was at the same property as the trash sorting facility, so it was definitely interesting to actually get my recyclables to the correct spot.

    • Educator 🧠
    This plastic free July has been very informative!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
    What conversations came up when you invited someone? Did anything surprise you about their response or perspective?

    Shawntaye Gaines 's avatar
    Shawntaye Gaines 7/19/2025 10:02 AM
    When I invited someone, the conversation quickly turned into a deep discussion about environmental responsibility. I was surprised by how passionate they were and how much they already knew.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    First Steps: Start with You
    How does understanding the origin of plastic change the way you think about using it in everyday life?

    Shawntaye Gaines 's avatar
    Shawntaye Gaines 7/19/2025 10:00 AM
    Understanding that plastic originates from fossil fuels and takes hundreds of years to decompose makes me more cautious about using it in daily life. I now prioritize reusable, biodegradable, or recyclable alternatives and try to limit single-use plastics whenever possible. This awareness has made me more intentional about my consumption and more supportive of sustainable practices and products.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    First Steps: Start with You
    What do you think the confusion around plastic labels says about our waste systems — and how could they be improved? What role do you think clear labeling should play in helping people make better choices — and who should be responsible for that?

    Shawntaye Gaines 's avatar
    Shawntaye Gaines 7/19/2025 9:58 AM
    The confusion around plastic labels highlights a lack of standardization and public education in our waste systems. Clear labeling is essential to help people recycle properly and make informed choices. Government agencies should take the lead in creating uniform labeling standards, while manufacturers must be held accountable for using clear, honest labels. Collaboration between policymakers, companies, and waste management services is key to improving the system and reducing environmental harm.