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Welcome to Plastic-Free Challenge!

Watch the short video below to learn the basics.
You'll be an Plastic-Free Challenge expert in no time!

Hennepin County | Ramsey County | Washington County
Plastic-Free Challenge
February 1 - February 28, 2025
Becky Dale's avatar

Becky Dale

Community Team

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 388 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    23
    zero-waste meals
    consumed
  • UP TO
    6.0
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    1.0
    waste audit
    conducted
  • UP TO
    1.0
    plastic bottle
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    95
    minutes
    spent learning

Becky's actions

At Home

Make Green Cleaners

I will make  1 of my own cleaning products (cleaners, detergents, soaps) instead of buying them in new spray bottles each time.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Plastics 101

Read Plastic-Free Challenge emails

I will read through the three emails each week to learn more about plastic and get ideas on how to use less.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Plastics 101

Know the Numbers

The numbers #1-7 on plastics tell us a lot and can help us be better recyclers. I will learn more about what the symbols on plastics mean.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Plastics 101

Estimate Your Plastic Footprint

I will complete a plastic consumption calculator to learn about my plastic footprint.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Plastics 101

Learn about bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastic

I will learn about what different descriptions and marketing terms mean when used on plastics.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Swap the Snacks

I will swap 1 prepackaged snacks for unpackaged fruits or veggies or homemade or bulk items each time we need more.

COMPLETED 7
DAILY ACTIONS

Plastics 101

Avoid Harmful Plastics

I will avoid buying toxic plastics, including polyvinyl, polystyrene and polycarbonate (#3,#6 and #7).

COMPLETED 5
DAILY ACTIONS

Plastics 101

Complete a waste audit

I will spend 15 minutes conducting a waste audit- including recyclables and compost- to understand how much plastic waste I create and where I can reduce the most.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

On-the-go

Use reusable to-go containers

I will use a restaurant's deposit system for reusable cups and/or takeout containers.

COMPLETED 6
DAILY ACTIONS

Food

Cook Meals with Zero Plastic Waste

I will prepare 2 meal(s) at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

COMPLETED 8
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

Reflection, encouragement, and relationship building are all important aspects of getting a new habit to stick.
Share thoughts, encourage others, and reinforce positive new habits on the Feed.

To get started, share “your why.” Why did you join the challenge and choose the actions you did?

  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Plastics 101
    What might you do differently since learning about bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastic?
    Becky Dale's avatar
    Becky Dale 2/28/2025 1:32 PM
    • 8-DAY STREAK
    Nothing! Already using compostable whenever I can!
    Read More
  • Becky Dale's avatar
    Becky Dale 2/19/2025 3:16 PM
    • 8-DAY STREAK
    Namaste has reusable to go containers that you can "rent" for a small deposit and return trade in for your next to go order.
    Read More
  • Becky Dale's avatar
    Becky Dale 2/19/2025 3:16 PM
    • 8-DAY STREAK
    Namaste has reusable to go containers that you can "rent" for a small deposit and return trade in for your next to go order.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Plastics 101
    What did you find out about your plastic consumption by using the calculator? What did or didn't surprise you?
    Becky Dale's avatar
    Becky Dale 2/08/2025 2:44 PM
    • 8-DAY STREAK
    I got a pretty good score but there were things it didn't ask -- like snack bags
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    On-the-go
    What did you think about your experience with the returnable container system?
    Becky Dale's avatar
    Becky Dale 2/08/2025 2:41 PM
    • 8-DAY STREAK
    I asked for a real cup for my coffee at a restaurant today and they started a paper cup anyway then threw it away when another staff person reminded them I wanted a real cup. :(. I forgot to bring in my own container for left overs but was able to use a napkin rather than a takeout container
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    How does swapping out prepackaged snacks for fresh fruit or veggies or homemade or bulk items benefit your household?
    Becky Dale's avatar
    Becky Dale 2/08/2025 2:39 PM
    • 8-DAY STREAK
    In addition to aviolding packaging it's healthier!
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    Do an inventory of your kitchen to see how many single-use plastics you've used in the past. What are some low-waste or reusable alternatives to these commonly used products? What would your impact be if you switched all the single-use products from your inventory to reusable? Are there any items where it would be difficult to avoid plastic waste?
    Becky Dale's avatar
    Becky Dale 2/08/2025 2:39 PM
    • 8-DAY STREAK
    I've already done a lot of this -- use a lot of bulk etc. I'm going to try to buy no plastic during this challenge and am guessing the hardest things will be cheeses and snacks that come in mulit-layer packaging and don't have bulk options (corn chips!)
    Read More