UPDATE (3 May 2016): Scroll down to see our winner, and the other inspiring entries!*
How about a challenge this Earth Day?
We’re great believers in taking small steps toward big goals. Of course big steps toward big goals are great too, but small steps are more realistically attainable quickly, and definitely less daunting.
That’s the impetus behind our EARTH DAY PLASTIC-FREE CHALLENGE.
The idea here is to prompt some simple habit changes. Because curing our global addiction to plastic is all about changing habits.
Here are THE RULES for the Challenge:
Commit to doing one thing to go plastic-free within the next week — between now and 26 April 2016 — and take a photo of that change in your life. It could be ditching your plastic water bottle for a stainless steel bottle or mason jar; or bringing your own bags or jars to the grocery store for your fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, flours; or bringing your own cutlery and container for take-out food. Look around your life and make a change in the plastic-free direction. Feel free to include yourself in the photo, but it’s not required.
Send us the picture by e-mail to: info@lifewithoutplastic.com
We will choose randomly one winner next week, and that winner will be contacted directly and announced in our next e-mail newsletter and in our social media two weeks down the road.
We assume by your taking part in the Challenge that you authorize us to use your photo in our postings and newsletter, with due credit.
Congratulations to Josh Wenzel, who is the randomly chosen winner of our Earth Day Plastic-Free Challenge!
Below is the photo Josh submitted for the contest, and he described his challenge as follows:
“Instead of using the paper cups coated in some sort of plastic at work, I’m going to start using a mason jar. In this case I tossed in some fresh herbs from the garden for a refreshing flavor.”
Way to go, Josh! Your plastic-free prize pack of a non-plastic tiffin, spork and sandwich bag will be on the way to you shortly.
And below are the other fabulous entries we received. Thank you all for participating and creating new plastic-free habits for yourselves! You inspire us.
“I am making a big effort to eliminate my plastic use, and I have changed my lunch containers to help me do that. I use a mason jar mug for water or coffee/tea, a small mason jar for yoghurt/pudding, an old caper jar for nuts, and a thermos for soup or a hot meal (with a metal spoon, of course). I really enjoy this change and it makes me feel better about my impact on the Earth.” Katharine M.
“Here’s a pic of my stainless steel bottle 😀 goodbye plastic water bottles!” Cait F.
Andrew S.
“These are my new travel companions and among the best purchases I’ve ever made. Whether I’m going on holiday or just walking to town I have them on me. No more single-use water bottles or coffee cups! These are bright, hard wearing, and funky and the drinks taste so much better than from flimsy disposables.” Minna
“I’ve been working really hard to cut down our household packaging waste. I’m having a lot of success with sourcing most pantry items in bulk, and bringing my own clean jars to fill to avoid any further single use plastic consumption. Plus, isn’t a pantry full of mason jars beautiful?” Jenna D.
“I have committed to bringing my own mason jar everywhere to bring my own drinks and fill up, saying goodbye to wasteful one use bottles and cans!” Lily S.
“I went to an Earth Day celebration, bought a water bottle and heard about your blog!” Autumn E.
“Plastic free lunch outside with nature :)” Melissa L.
“So glad the cabbage fits in my mesh produce bag!” Natalie Z.
So glad the cabbage fits in my mesh produce bag! – Natalie Z.
“This Earth Day, I pledge to go without plastic bags! Who actually likes those flimsy, annoying plastic bags you get when shopping anyway? I always try and bring my own bags, or if I’m just buying a couple of items I skip the bag altogether. Today’s lunch (see the attached photo of my receipt) came with a side of “no plastic bag”!” Bethany B.
“I’m slowly transitioning into a zero waste and earth friendly lifestyle. As I use up products I replace them with something that can be recycled or composted. I accepted the Earth Day challenge and purchased a shampoo bar at a local Earth Day event this past weekend (pictured below). My bathroom products are slowly becoming greener! Yay!” Felicia S.
“My first step towards a plastic free life…feeling good…upcycled LO’s old clothes for making small grocery bags…bought loose grains n dry items in them instead of polybags.” Suparna D.
“…replaced the scrubber and toilet cleaning brushes with the ones made of coconut fibre.” Suparna D.
“…replaced the scrubber and toilet cleaning brushes with the ones made of coconut fibre.” Suparna D.
