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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, 2026
Abiha Juwairiya's avatar

Abiha Juwairiya

Normandale Environmental Chemistry

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 147 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    22
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    1.0
    plastic straw
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    0.7
    pounds
    waste avoided
  • UP TO
    3.0
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill

Abiha's actions

Food

Skip Single-Use Plastic for Freezing Food

I will use reusable containers when freezing food and opt for glass or metal when purchasing new containers.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Buy Reusable Bathroom Products

I will replace my [item] with a reusable [item] in the bathroom (disposable cups, makeup wipes and soap dispensers, etc.).

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

At Home

Extend the Life of Electronics

Manufacturers want you to replace your phones every year. I will keep my phone for at least 3 years and make any necessary repairs or updates to keep it functioning as long as possible.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Switch to a natural loofah or wash cloth

I will replace my synthetic loofah with a natural loofah or wash cloth.

UNCOMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

On-the-go

Use Reusable Water Bottles

I will use a reusable bottle and stop purchasing bottled water, saving 1 disposable plastic bottle(s) a day.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

On-the-go

Skip the Straw

I will keep 1 plastic straw(s) out of the landfill per day by refusing straws or using my own glass/metal straw.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY ACTION

Participant Feed

  • Abiha Juwairiya's avatar
    Abiha Juwairiya 2/09/2026 4:44 PM
    Hi everyone! In a previous class, I read an article about how companies are always trying to make us feel like we need the newest gadget, but honestly, we don’t. It’s important to take care of the electronics you already have instead of rushing to buy a new one. Slower performance or minor issues aren’t a reason to give in to pressure. An extra camera or slightly thinner screen isn’t worth $1,000 if what you already have gets the job done. Being patient and using what you own not only saves money but also helps reduce waste. Let’s do our best for the Plastic-Free Challenge!
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    At Home
    What maintenance steps do you take to keep your electronics in good working order?
    Abiha Juwairiya's avatar
    Abiha Juwairiya 2/09/2026 4:37 PM
    I’ve been using the same iPad since 2021. To keep it in good working order, I don’t use unsafe browsers that could get viruses, and I make sure I don’t drink or eat near it, so food and water debris don’t damage it. Instead of buying a new one just because it’s gotten a bit slow, I wait patiently and offload unneeded apps to save storage.
    Read More
    • Tristan Bartosevic's avatar
      Tristan Bartosevic 2/09/2026 8:49 PM
      I am the same way! I try and not eat food or drink around my electronics to risk them getting damaged!
      Read More
  • Abiha Juwairiya's avatar
    Abiha Juwairiya 2/06/2026 11:58 AM
    Hi everyone! I bought some reusable makeup remover pads for $15, and I think it was a great purchase. Before this, I was spending about $7 a month on disposable ones. Switching to reusable pads saves money in the long run and also helps the environment by reducing waste.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Personal Care
    Has your experience using a reusable product changed greatly from when you used a disposable one? What are the benefits of using a reusable product?
    Abiha Juwairiya's avatar
    Abiha Juwairiya 2/06/2026 11:55 AM
    My experience using a reusable product hasn’t changed much compared to using a disposable one. I started using reusable makeup remover pads instead of disposable cotton pads. The reusable pads work the same as the disposable ones, but now I need to wash and dry them after using them instead of throwing them away. One benefit of using reusable pads is that I don’t have to keep buying new ones, which saves money and reduces waste.
    Read More
  • Abiha Juwairiya's avatar
    Abiha Juwairiya 2/04/2026 4:08 PM
    Hi everyone! I started using reusable storage containers instead of ziplocks for freezing things like meat and veggies. I was reluctant because I was worried dishes would pile up, but it's actually not too bad. It's better to wash some dishes than to throw lots of disposable ziplocks away.
    Read More
    • Reham Kassab's avatar
      Reham Kassab 2/04/2026 6:36 PM
      Nice! Sometimes ziplock bags feel more convenient for storage but they definitely start adding up the more we use them. I'm also trying to be more mindful of this, so reusable containers are the way to go!
      Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Food
    How easy or difficult have you found this task? Is there a way you could rearrange your freezer to make this work better?
    Abiha Juwairiya's avatar
    Abiha Juwairiya 2/04/2026 4:02 PM
    Switching to reusable storage containers is a lot easier than using ziplock bags because, although it may take up more space, it makes your fridge look a lot more organized. It helps to put the stuff you plan to use less in the back of the refrigerator and the stuff you use more closer to the front.
    Read More
  • Abiha Juwairiya's avatar
    Abiha Juwairiya 2/03/2026 4:26 PM
    Hi everyone! Today I decided to drink my lemonade without a straw. It seems small, but realizing how much plastic I mindlessly used just to feel fancy made me feel guilty. Straws aren’t even necessary, so no need for me to buy a reusable glass or metal one!
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    On-the-go
    Have you noticed a shift in your community as more messaging about reusable straws becomes mainstream? Cite some examples.
    Abiha Juwairiya's avatar
    Abiha Juwairiya 2/03/2026 4:21 PM
    I’ve definitely noticed a shift in my community as reusable straw messaging has become more mainstream. Social media campaigns have made it trendy and normal to swap single-use straws for metal, glass, or silicone ones.
    Read More
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    On-the-go
    Can you think of any scenarios where using your own bottle is harder? How can you make sure not to get a disposable bottle in that case?
    Abiha Juwairiya's avatar
    Abiha Juwairiya 2/02/2026 8:07 PM
    Often while traveling, there are hygiene concerns. If you are in a location with questionable tap water, you might be tempted to buy bottled water. To avoid this, bring your own water bottle. Although carrying a water bottle while traveling can be slightly inconvenient, it benefits the environment in the long run.
    Read More
  • Abiha Juwairiya's avatar
    Abiha Juwairiya 1/20/2026 3:19 PM
    Hi everyone! I refilled my reusable water bottle twice today instead of using disposable plastic bottles. I am looking forward to continuing this challenge with you all!
    Read More