Teen L.E.A.D.E.R.S.

Lead by Educating with Activities and Demonstrations on the Environment, Resources and Sciences

Join Me and Be Plastic Free!

Hello all! My name is Shauna Dauderman and I'm a Fresno Chaffee Zoo employee and the mastermind of the 30 Day Plastic Challenge, which I’ve nicknamed “30DPC”.

This is my personal journey on the plastic challenge path, avoiding single-use plastic and, so far, it has been smooth sailing.

July 10th marked the first ten days of the 30DPC and a majority of those ten days were spent on a family vacation away from home.

I was in Los Angeles on day one of the Plastic Challenge and, although the city is a huge, urban metropolis, it was not difficult to find substitutes for plastic. My family stayed in Embassy Suites for two days, which offered a continental breakfast that was completely plastic-free. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Dodger Stadium in downtown L.A. offered almost all concessions in cardboard containers and glass bottles.

Shortly after returning home, I shopped for items that were free of any single-use plastic. I invested in some canvas bags and was absolutely thrilled to find peanut butter in glass jars.

On vacation, I couldn't help but pick up the
non-decomposable plastic that I saw lying
around on Cayucos Beach

I was on a roll until my local supermarket would not let me purchase fresh produce without a plastic bag. I did end up purchasing the produce and made a mental note to save the bags and use them again or to buy produce at a Farmer's Market where plastic bags are not a requirement for purchase.

On July 2nd, the Teen LEADERS volunteer program went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium to collaborate with their volunteers and to enjoy the aquarium. My brown-bag sack lunch that day consisted of an orange, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with bread that was purchased wrapped in paper, and fresh cucumbers and carrots that I packed in re-usable Tupperware. 

The last three days of my vacation were spent in Morro Bay, California. I brought my plastic-free groceries with me for snacks and did not use a straw or plastic utensil whenever my family ate out.

Although it has been challenging at times, my experience with the 30DPC has been extremely rewarding. I have never felt as fulfilled as I have now, explaining how I am doing my part to conserve and do what I love. Are YOU up to the challenge? Follow along with other Teen LEADERS' 30DPC journey on our blog. Looking forward to sharing other ways we can be plastic-free!