The Columbus Zoo, along with other zoos and wildlife conservation organizations, invites us to join the movement to refuse single-use plastics. The month of July, 2021, the zoo and partners has launched a month-long effort for all of us to shift away from our single-use plastic dependency and to care for our ecosystems. If you have any doubts about the magnitude of this problem, check out this UN photo exhibit: “Plastic Is Forever.”

The first step is to go to the “plastic-free ecochallege” website and sign up for one of six categories: food, personal care, community, lifestyle, pets, or family. Once signed up, you are offered a list of daily or one-time actions and a chance to learn more.

Besides the “plastic-free ecochallenge” website you can get more tips on a plastic-free living from Earth911’s article, “Good, Better, Best—Eliminating Plastic Waste,” and from SWACO’s “Recycle Right” program .

It’s taken two years, but I’ve managed to eliminate almost all non-recyclable plastic from my life. I invite you to join me in July’s plastic-free ecochallenge.

Thanks for your commitment to Creation Care!

Elliott