Join Beyond Plastic Ecochallenge 2025! Refuse, Reduce, Rethink.

Ecochallenge.org

Beyond Plastic Ecochallenge 2025

July 1 - July 31, 2025

Unity EarthCare Feed

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Ro Capelli 7/31/2025 12:17 PM
I made a concerted effort to take time almost every day to check in on this site and do many of the tips to prevent plastic use and waste, and I’m glad I did! It was helpful to me to learn new information on plastics and their harm to humans and the environment, and to pick up new ways to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

I’m definitely not perfect on this yet, but I have made big improvements in lessening my plastic impact and they were simple actions to take! Plus it was fun being part of a team and community also committed to doing the same. Thank you for the opportunity!

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Mary Gerken 7/26/2025 8:06 AM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
I'm "seeing" the plastic more. Now that I'm aware, I search for products that don't have any or try to reuse it but it's not easy. Even ALL milk/soy milk containers have plastic.

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Ro Capelli 7/20/2025 11:20 AM
I’m enjoying learning more about what can actually be recycled, and realizing we need to drastically reduce our use of all plastics

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- Alexia Woerner 7/20/2025 2:14 PM
  - Adventurer 🏔
  I agree! love seeing all the knowledge and ideas shared
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

How do businesses influence the choices we make—and how can your support help shift what’s considered “normal”? What did the business do that made you want to support them?
Mary Gerken 7/19/2025 9:55 AM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
Say something to customer service or ask for a manager because businesses lead by example.

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- Erin Gately 7/19/2025 1:15 PM
  
  TEAM CAPTAIN
  
  Plant Parent 🪴
  I have a New Seasons grocery store near my house. Occasionally I will buy a baguette from them and they changed their packaging so there is a clear strip of plastic running up the front. Why? I am always compelled to pull out the plastic so I can recycle the paper. Why did they make that change? They didn't need to because their baguettes are delicious and fresh. I am going to say something to the management. Thank you for the inspiriation!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
First Steps: Start with You

What influenced your decision on what to swap, and how does that small change feel in the bigger picture? Was the swap easy or difficult? What did it make you realize about convenience, cost, or access to better options?
Ro Capelli 7/18/2025 8:44 AM
I didn’t want to continue putting shampoo bottles into landfill, so I tried a bar shampoo I found (packaged in paperboard only). It is harder to find bar shampoo locally, especially since Trader Joe’s sadly stopped carrying it!), so ordering them online is a bit more expensive. But the bar shampoos are usually better quality ingredients and it feels great to remove more plastic from my life.

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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?
Mary Gerken 7/17/2025 1:00 PM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
My largest plastic use is frozen veggie packaging. I'm a vegan so eat lots of veggies. I now buy larger quantities & don't buy "bagged" veggies or fruit. I go to a farmers market so control the plastic there too & cook my own instead of using frozen.

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- Alexia Woerner 7/17/2025 1:45 PM
  
  Adventurer 🏔
  I wish frozen veggies came in something more eco friendly !!
  
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REFLECTION QUESTION
Lead the Way: Shape Your Community

What’s something you said or heard that you think might stick with people after the event? Did your information spark any interesting conversations or questions?
Mary Gerken 7/17/2025 12:48 PM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
The potluck we mentioned bringing you own plate, utilizes & cloth napkins but we brought extra. People commented that it felt more comfortable and homey.

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REFLECTION QUESTION
First Steps: Start with You

What’s one change to your grocery habits that felt more manageable than expected — or harder than expected? Why do you think some products, like produce, started amassing so much plastic packaging? Who is the plastic packaging really serving -- the consumer, the producer, or someone else?
Mary Gerken 7/17/2025 5:42 AM
- TEAM CAPTAIN
I have lowered the amount of plastics, I can see it in my trash can because I don't have to "throw out the trash" half as often BUT it's really difficult to go a day without it. I eat alot of frozen veggies, they used to come in boxes with wax paper but they are hard to find. I think people are a bit nervous about germs & although plastic has so many chemicals, they think it's more healthy : (

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REFLECTION QUESTION
First Steps: Start with You

What routines or habits help you remember to use reusables, and what challenges have you run into?
Ro Capelli 7/16/2025 12:41 PM
Keeping reusable bags in the same spot in car so I remember bring them into stores

Washing my reusable utensil set & putting the kit back in my backpack each evening as a routine

Keeping a coffee pot at work so I don’t use the office single-use coffee pods

I haven’t run into any issues; I have only replaced one set of routines for another, except this set of practices is so much more sustainable and leaves a positive impact in my world and others’
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Andrea Robinson 7/14/2025 9:57 PM
Hi, I've been participating in these challenges for a few years. I just find it useful to do something to protect Planet Earth. After all, where else are we supposed to live? A few amazing things that Earth has to offer: air, land, and water. It's the best! :)

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