August 8, 2024 – Inspired by the Australian-founded initiative, Plastic Free EcoChallenge is a 31-day international challenge to raise awareness about the problems with plastic. It offers opportunities to learn how to reduce and refuse plastics and encourages individuals to make small changes that can have a significant impact.
Throughout July, the SF Teaching Zoo Zero Wasters team used the EcoChallenge platform to choose actions that would reduce single-use plastic.
The team pledged to commit to various actions in different challenge categories, such as watching videos, writing letters, changing daily behaviors or picking up trash. They tracked their collective impact and compared it with other teams. The goal was to turn actions into habits, creating a more sustainable lifestyle.
In 2024, The SF Teaching Zoo Zero Wasters finished 11th out of 144 teams. 102 community members participated. Their collective efforts resulted in:
- 668 minutes of learning.
- 182 pieces of litter picked up.
- 3,670 minutes spent outdoors.
- 542 pieces of plastic diverted from the landfill.
- 112 gallons of water saved.
- 247 meatless or vegan meals consumed.
- 13 pounds of waste avoided.
- 61 pounds of food waste prevented.
Special thanks to partners North Florida Sewing Center, Alachua County Recycles, Humane Society Thrift Store, and Life Unplastic for their commitment to sustainability and their support in making the challenge a success.