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Accept the Challenge
Plastic Free July

LeboGreen is hosting a 6-week Plastic Challenge that will run from June 25th until August 6th.  Every Wednesday, a new set of challenges will be released. There will be something for everyone, wherever you are on your sustainability journey. Report the tasks you complete each week to be entered to win some fabulous eco-friendly prizes, like a gift card for gelato from Piccolo Piazza Company, a sourdough starter kit, a Wonderfill gift card, a Beyond Bedtime Books gift card, an Arsenal gift card, Mort's Fresh and Local gift card, a Book Cellar Gift Card and much more.  Two names will be drawn at the conclusion of the challenge. 

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Sign Up Here!

When you complete a challenge, fill out this form to let us know. You can complete as many challenges as you would like. You can also go back and complete challenges from previous weeks. Each week has a beginner, intermediate, and advanced level. For every challenge you complete, you will be entered for a chance to win a raffle basket filled with gift cards from local businesses that will help you be plastic-free all year long. The goal is progress, not perfection, so we hope you have fun as you learn and grow! 

Week 1 - Single Use Plastics - Let's Get Real

  1. Learn: Start your journey by learning just how much plastic we toss every day. Watch a quick video or read an article like “30 Days Without Single-Use Plastics” or “Single-Use Plastics 101”. 

  2. Share: Tell a friend about this challenge and multiply your impact! Remember, good work begets good work.

  3. Complete a Waste Audit: Just before trash day of a normal week, go through your garbage for the week and categorize it. You should be able to identify trends that you can address. A less messy way could be to log any trash you throw away during the week. This method could also capture waste created outside your home.

 

Resources:

How to solve the world's plastic problem | BBC Ideas

30 Days Without Single-Use Plastics | One Small Step | NowThis

Single-Use Plastics 101 | NRDC

Week 2 - Eating Out - the Plastic-Free Way

  1. No Straw, Please!: Next time you grab a drink, turn down the straw. It’s a small act, but a step in the right direction to make a conscious effort to reduce your plastic use. Bring your own steel, copper, or silicone one if you’d like. (p.s. you can also count this challenge if you turn down any single-use plastic.) 

  2. Use a Reusable Coffee Cup or Water Bottle: Using a reusable water bottle instead of disposable bottles is not only sustainable, but also economical. Reusable coffee cups are my preferred to-go container for hot or cold beverages. Nowadays, nearly all the coffee shops will allow a reusable container, including all the ones I have visited in Mt. Lebanon. Here are some of my tips: Make sure it’s clean, keep your cap and only hand the mug to the barista, and know the size of your cup so they can charge you appropriately. In my opinion, travel mugs are superior for iced coffees. 

  3. Bring your own Containers for Restaurant Leftovers: Next time you eat out or get something to go, bring your own container to transfer it home.  I always know that I won't be able to eat a whole portion, so I typically have a simple takeout container in my purse to collect the leftovers. This one can be hard to remember so it’s useful to have a large bag and helpful to keep a takeout container in the car as part of your zero-waste kit. 

Week 3 - Sustainable Grocery Shopping 

  1. Buy items in bulk: Here’s another change that can save you money and reduce plastic waste. Buying the bigger container typically results in less plastic and more product at a lower cost. On your next shopping trip, consider the packaging of the items you buy. 

  2. Bring your own grocery bags and produce bags: Plastic shopping bags are not something we typically give much thought to. In fact, a typical bag is only used for 12 minutes on average.  But takes over 1,000 years to breakdown. Plastic bags are also commonly seen as litter. That’s why this action just makes sense. As an added tip, add a small foldable bag to your purse or glove compartment, so you’ll always a bag within reach.  If you want to go above and beyond, make your own bags from previously loved materials, like an old t-shirt. 

  3. Shop at farmer's market and bulk store: These places can be perfect for waste-free shopping, if you plan ahead.  For the Farmer's Market, let the person know you would like to use your own bags and they will keep track of the items for you.  It's fine to use one bag for multiple items.  For fragile items, like berries, bring a takeout container to keep them safe.  I've never had an issue and it's easier for them, since you are packing your own bag. For bulk shopping, Pitaland, Pennsylvania Macaroni Company, and East End Food Coop all have a bulk section. 

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Bonus Video on Plastic Free Shopping

Bonus Challenge: Participate in a Litter Cleanup

 It’s like a treasure hunt, except instead of gold, you’re finding bottle caps and candy wrappers. And making the world cleaner. That’s the real treasure.​  Go out solo or with some friends. Give Move Lebo a hand this Saturday. 

Week 4 - Cooking up some Plastic-Free Wins

  1. Use Powdered Dish Detergent: Another tip that will save you money.  Powdered detergent normally come in cardboard boxes and can be as effective as gel.  The cost per load is 8 cents, compared to over 30 cents per load for gel packs. (If you want to watch a way too long but entertaining video that convinced us to switch, check out Technology Connections)

  2. Use Reusable Containers instead of Single Use Items: Use reusable containers instead of single-use plastic wrap for lunch or leftovers. Glass containers make it easier to safely heat your leftovers, but any container you currently have is fine to use. The most sustainable option is always the one you already have.

  3. Make or Grow your own Food: During the week 3 challenge, you may have noticed that there were some areas where plastic was unavoidable.  Most yogurt comes in non-recyclable plastic, greens are packaged in a bag or box, and bread is usually in plastic bags. This week, try to make a 'basic' food that you would normally buy.  If you want to grow something, herbs, cucumbers, or zucchini would be great options and could be grown in containers. 

Week 5 - Household Habits Gone Green

  1. Try a Shampoo/Conditioner/Soap Bar: Another switch that can save you money. Bottled shampoo is 80% water. Why are you paying for that when you have perfectly good water at home?  A shampoo or conditioner bar does cost a little more upfront. But for my medium length hair, one bar lasts me about 6 months, so you'll get your money's worth.  Ethique is my favorite online store, but Wonderfill (the zero waste store near Howe Elementary) also has some options. I have even found them at Target. 

  2. Master the Secondhand Market: Yet another money saving tip! Secondhand items save on packaging and the resources needed to produce a brand-new item. There are tons of ways to get new-to-you items around Mt. Lebanon.  There are many secondhand stores, like Grey Parrot and Mt. Lebanon Trading post for consignment, Dandelion Kids and the Has Bin for kid's items, and St. Vincent de Paul and Red, White, and Blue for thrift stores.  Mt. Lebanon also has multiple, very active "Free" sites.  Search Freebo or Buy Nothing on Facebook to check them out. Residents can post items for free and others can request the item. Sometimes it involves a little luck, but it feels good to know that an item is now being used. 

  3. Host a Party with Compostables: For your next get-together, if you can't use something reusable, consider using plates and utensils made from compostable materials.  They are made from natural materials and are plastic free. Bonus if you can work with a commercial composter, such as PRC or the Compost People, and avoid the landfill. If you see a neighbor with a green bin some mornings, ask them if they can request an extra bin and you'll be on your way to a zero-waste party. Now that's something to celebrate. 

  4. Sustainable Laundry: You may be wondering how this relates to plastics.  Nowadays, many of our clothes are made from plastic. Polyester, nylon, and acrylic are all derived from petroleum.  And every time you wash your clothes, microplastics infiltrate our waterways, harming wildlife and ultimately, us. But some small changes can help reduce the amount produced: Wash cold, Wash less often, and Line dry.  Read all the tips here. 

Week 6 - Level Up - Increase your Impact

  1. Talk to a Friend: Share what you learned. Is there any swap or action that you would recommend? 

  2. Email your Commissioner: Let your commissioner know that you support action that reduce single-use plastic in our community. Would you support a plastic bag ban in Mt. Lebanon? Find your ward and commissioner here. 

  3. Email a Company: There's always room for improvement with packaging.  Was there a part of the challenge that was particularly difficult? Take action by emailing, calling, or meeting with the business to talk about your experience and recommend improvements. 

 

Advocacy may seem small, but collective voices create big waves.  You got this! 

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