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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
Ally Sutherland's avatar

Ally Sutherland

City of Minnetonka

POINTS TOTAL

  • 0 TODAY
  • 0 THIS WEEK
  • 156 TOTAL

participant impact

  • UP TO
    1.0
    zero-waste meal
    consumed
  • UP TO
    3.4
    pounds of CO2
    have been saved
  • UP TO
    5.0
    plastic straws
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    3.0
    plastic containers
    not sent to the landfill
  • UP TO
    0.1
    pounds
    waste avoided
  • UP TO
    0.8
    pounds
    packaging waste avoided
  • UP TO
    4.0
    plastic bottles
    not sent to the landfill

Ally's actions

Personal Care

Switch to compostable floss

I will switch to compostable floss in a reusable container.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

On-the-go

Assemble a Zero Waste Kit

I will assemble and/or use a to-go bag with cloth napkins and reusable utensils, containers, and cups to avoid disposable to-go containers and cutlery for 2 of my household members.

COMPLETED 0
DAILY ACTIONS

Personal Care

Purchase Alternative Toothpaste

I will purchase toothpaste powder or toothpaste tabs in plastic-free packaging.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Personal Care

Replace My Toothbrush

I will replace 2 plastic toothbrushes in my household with recycled plastic, wood or bamboo toothbrushes.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Cook Meals with Zero Plastic Waste

I will prepare 1 meal(s) at home each day without using any items packaged in single-use plastic.

COMPLETED 1
DAILY 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

Personal Care

Choose sustainable suds

I will replace my soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions with solid bars or refillable options.

COMPLETED
ONE-TIME ACTION

Food

Shop the Bulk Bins

Each trip to the grocery store I will purchase 3 products from the bulk section using my own containers.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Kids

Provide Alternatives

I will provide daily plastic-free alternatives (straws, water bottles, cutlery, bar soap, bamboo toothbrushes, etc.) for my family to use.

COMPLETED 2
DAILY ACTIONS

Participant Feed

  • Ally Sutherland's avatar
    Ally Sutherland 2/28/2025 12:59 PM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • 2-DAY STREAK
    Hi Minnetonka Teammates!

    Thank you for participating in the 2025 Plastic-Free Challenge! Today is the final day of the challenge. Our team completed 2,307 actions, and we are beating Team Edina by 144 points in our mini-challenge!

    You can keep making a difference by practicing one or more new actions year-round. Consider sharing what you've learned this month with a friend, family member or neighbor so more people can join in. Plastic-free alternatives can make for surprisingly fun gifts too!

    If you have more progress to share, you can still login through the end of the day today: https://tcplasticfree.ecochallenge.org/users/login.

    Thanks for being part of our team!

    Ally Sutherland | She, Her, Hers
    Sustainability Coordinator
    City of Minnetonka | minnetonkamn.gov
    14600 Minnetonka Blvd. | Minnetonka, MN 55345
    Office: 952-939-8298 | Cell: 612-408-2941
    Read More
  • Ally Sutherland's avatar
    Ally Sutherland 2/25/2025 9:18 AM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    • 2-DAY STREAK
    Hello Minnetonka Teammates!

    We're in the last week of the Plastic-Free Challenge, and our team is in 16th place of 240 teams. Way to go!

    We are just ahead of Brooklyn Park, Edina and St. Paul. Edina just challenged us to compete directly this week. Whichever team earns more points this week will win the mini-competition. Let's beat them!

    Thanks to the progress you've shared online, our team has 2,142 points. Kathy S. is leading with 322 points, followed by Irene K. (276 pts), Diane M. (217 pts) and Delane W. (165 pts).

    The competition runs through this Friday, Feb. 28. Sign on and "check-in" to earn points. You can share your experiences to earn even more points. Here are a few thoughts shared recently by teammates:

    "I'm happy to participate because it keeps me more aware of what we all need to do to reduce our plastic use. Also it informs me of other things I could be doing and the advantages of getting rid of plastic usage." -Irene K.

    "I would encourage everyone to visit TARE MARKET in person or virtually. Great resource for plastic free / package free cleaning products (in bulk) and grains, peanut butter etc in bulk." -Diane M.

    "My church's Earth Stewards group has been collecting plastic bags for Trex. If we can get to 1,000 lbs by the end of 2025 we get a free bench. We're all trying to reduce our plastic bag use but if you have some you need to dispose of feel free to bring them to St Luke Presbyterian in Minnetonka." -Amy W.

    Share your progress here: https://tcplasticfree.ecochallenge.org/users/login

    Keep up the great work, team!

    Ally Sutherland | She, Her, Hers
    Sustainability Coordinator
    City of Minnetonka | minnetonkamn.gov
    14600 Minnetonka Blvd. | Minnetonka, MN 55345
    Office: 952-939-8298 | Cell: 612-408-2941
    Read More