Did you know that each year, less than 9% of the 350 million tons of plastic waste created gets recycled? As we see record-breaking deliveries in the wake of a global pandemic, this percentage is only projected to decrease.
Each year, 8.7% of plastics get recycled, 12% are incinerated and the rest ends up in landfills or, more commonly, our natural environments. Plastic photodegrades, which means it breaks down smaller and smaller, but never truly goes away. This plastic collects in our oceans where it is consumed by animals and clogs their stomachs, leading to malnutrition, starvation and even death by poisoning from leaching chemicals. That’s why Plastic Free July is such a great initiative! Reducing our plastic usage, especially single-use plastics, is an essential part of the solution.
Join the Plastic Free Ecochallenge
The Plastic Free Ecochallenge is a 31-day global challenge aimed at minimizing the consumption of single-use plastics. Inspired by the Australian-founded initiative Plastic Free July, Ecochallenge.org has partnered with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to help you explore new ways to take care of wildlife and the world we all share. Our Akron Zoo staff are taking the challenge - will you?
It may not seem like refusing a single plastic straw or pick up one piece of litter is going to change the world, but when everyone joins together and begins taking these small actions, it makes a big impact on our environment.
To join the Akron Zoo's team, click "Join 3044 Other Participants" and select "Join an Existing Team." Find the Akron Zoo and select "Join."
Once you have signed up, participants can choose from a wide variety of challenges to take part in throughout July. Challenges are divided into six different categories, and may be daily or one-time challenges. Choose from tasks such as skipping the straw, planting a garden, trying a bamboo toothbrush or making your own household cleansers, and earn points for each challenge you complete. There is also an option to create your own plastic-free challenge. Take on as much as you’d like and remember to have fun with it!