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  • 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.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    First Steps: Start with You
    How do these different materials shift your sense of what’s truly “sustainable” — and what’s just marketing? Are bioplastics accepted by your city's waste management?

    Shawntaye Gaines 's avatar
    Shawntaye Gaines 7/19/2025 9:50 AM
    These materials made me rethink what’s actually sustainable versus clever marketing. I’ve learned that many bioplastics aren’t accepted by local waste systems, which limits their impact.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    First Steps: Start with You
    What surprised you the most about the health impacts of plastic exposure, and how might this new understanding influence the choices you make around food storage and everyday products?

    Shawntaye Gaines 's avatar
    Shawntaye Gaines 7/19/2025 9:48 AM
    I was surprised to learn plastics release harmful chemicals. Now, I’ll use glass containers and avoid heating food in plastic products.

  • Ben Hammond's avatar
    Ben Hammond 7/19/2025 8:28 AM
    • Water Protector 🌊
    I was able to rescue and properly dispose of some plastic waste from the beach, I often carry a reusable bag with me at the beach just for that purpose. Also, I was able to take some food waste/fruit and vegetable scraps to my neighbor who has chickens who could eat them for enrichment.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    First Steps: Start with You
    What was the most eye-opening fact you learned about the limits of recycling, and how might it shift your habits? How do you feel knowing that so much of what we put in recycling bins may never actually be recycled? What should we do differently?

    Ana Arevalo's avatar
    Ana Arevalo 7/19/2025 7:53 AM
    The most impactful thing is realizing how companies try to promote recycling while selling products that are not recyclable. This misleading strategy is generating more waste and lying to people that may have good intentions but don't have the knowledge of what is actually recyclable and what is not.
    They also mentioned on the video how the cities push recycling facilities to accept plastics that are not recyclable and that makes the process more costly and less efficient.

    • Ben Hammond's avatar
      Ben Hammond 7/19/2025 11:47 AM
      • Water Protector 🌊
      I think that we need more rigorous regulations on what can be used in production and manufacturing of consumable goods to help alleviate the high volume of plastics that are not recyclable. Many of the companies that are using these single use plastics for their products actually could find low cost solutions and alternatives but I feel like they're not very motivated to do so.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
    How did planning and preparing the meal together affect the conversation about plastic? Did it inspire any new habits?

    • Educator 🧠
    It definitely made us consider how to lower our plastic usage day to day. We relied on glass and foil for our containers as much as we possibly could!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
    What kind of reactions—if any—did you notice from others? How did it feel to model change publicly? Where did you use your reusables? Post a pic of your kit in the feed!

    Ben Hammond's avatar
    Ben Hammond 7/18/2025 6:47 AM
    • Water Protector 🌊
    People have been very positively receptive of the reusable items that I bring with me. I hope that I have inspired a few to start carrying reusable items of their own.
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
    Why did you choose that particular gift, and how was it received? What conversations did it spark? Post a pic of the gift in the feed!

    • Educator 🧠
    I gave someone an additional laundry bag that I received in a two pack.