TUCSON, Ariz. — For the month of July, the Reid Park Zoo is doing a challenge to get the community to reduce their amount of single-use plastics.
"We have partnered with over 44 different states in different zoos in North America to try to raise awareness about what's going on with our plastic," Reid Park Zoo educator Jed Dodds said.
GO GREEN: Today I’m spending the day at the @ReidParkZoo learning about their go green eco challenge for the month of July.
— Veronika Vernachio (@vvernachio) July 6, 2019
They’re competing against 44 other zoos around the world and they want everyone in Tucson to get involved!
Learn how tonight on @kgun9 at 5 and 10. pic.twitter.com/DgT7wV7TCH
This is a challenge to see what Zoo across the country can reduce the most amount of plastic us, and they want the community to join in with them.
"We can't all live zero waste free, we'd like too, it's a great goal to have, but if we only have a few people living zero waste free that doesn't shift anything, but if we have millions of people that are taking small steps, then we can start to move the needle," Dodds said.
Dodds said some ways to reduce your plastic use, as part of the challenge, are by using a metal straw, reusable bag, and water bottle, instead of the plastic ones.
They sound like little things, but Dodds said they really go a long way because they can help both animals and people.
The zoo hopes to set an example for the city of Tucson and the state of Arizona because Dodds said they want more people to go plastic-free.
Dodds encourages everyone to go onto the zoo's website to sign up for the challenge and be part of the team.
