Community Wellbeing: Straw Challenge

Have you gone straw-less? The National Park System states, “Americans use 500 million drinking straws every day...this would fill over 125 school buses with straws every day.”

This fun fact may have motivated you to opt-out of using plastic straws, but have you taken into consideration all your interactions with plastic?

The Challenge

Be thoughtful of the waste you generate. In one day, log the number of times you interact with plastic. Reflect on your findings: Is it reusable plastic or one time use? Are there plastic-alternatives you could use for some items?

You may be familiar with the efforts of the “Be Straw Free” campaign, but plastics of all kinds impact our everyday lives. Christopher Joyce of NPA states, “There are numerous types of plastic. Over time, much of it will break down into smaller pieces. But no one knows how long those pieces linger in the environment.” Jenna Jambeck set forth on a mission to discuss the impact of plastics in oceans world-wide; her work was highlighted in late July by NPR.

Based on Jambeck’s research there are 8 million metric tons of plastic coming to the world’s oceans. Although the U.S. is not the top waste producer, it does all add up. In fact, by 2025, there is an estimation that the “8 million metric tons could be 10 times as large.”

It may not be realistic to completely change your “plastic lifestyle,” and perhaps you are already committed to a zero-waste lifestyle, but challenging yourself to track the amount of plastic you make contact with can be impactful! “Jambeck believes that kind of data-keeping — showing people just how ubiquitous plastic is — shapes public opinion,” Joyce states. From Jenna Jambeck’s opinion, “...around the world people are reacting to that and trying to figure out what to do,"

Tools Needed

A way to track the plastic you make contact with - a simple paper and pencil or a digital list to complete your log. And you will need the plastic; start small and investigate what is in your purse or backpack. Some simple examples are: the plastic case on your phone, tv remote, pen or mechanical pencil, fan, reusable water-bottle, lunch containers, the switch on your desk lamp and the list goes on and on...

Let’s Get Together

After you reflect on your log, share with a Sister! Have them complete the same activity. What stood out to you all? What ideas can you share about plastic-alternatives?

Resources: We're Drowning In Plastic Trash. Jenna Jambeck Wants To Save Us Top 10 Eco-friendly Substitutes for Plastic

Report Participation!

Document your participation in A Clear Vision of Life: The Wellbeing Program and be entered to win a Challenge incentive! Click here to let us know you participated in this Challenge.

Join the Greater KC Alumnae Association Wellbeing Challenge Facebook Group to participate in discussions and engage on the challenges together!