No plastic water bottles. No plastic grocery bags. No styrofoam take-out containers, for 21 days. This is the “21 Day Reusable Challenge” and it kicks off February 1st.
The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) has teamed with 4-time X Games half pipe gold medalist, 2006 Olympic silver medalist, ACES board member, and environmentalist Gretchen Bleiler for an “eco-minded” call to action over Winter X Games 16.
Over a weekend when most businesses and organizations are passing out high quantities of ‘swag’, ACES, Aspen’s local environmental center with four sites throughout the valley, wanted to participate in X Games in a different way.
“We could hand out stickers, hats, and other materials but we decided that as an environmental organization, we wanted to send a message about using less, not getting more”, Olivia Siegel, ACES Community Outreach Director.
After winning a silver medal in the 2006 Winter Olympics for women’s snowboarding half pipe, Gretchen decided to use her platform as a professional athlete as a chance to speak out about climate change, an issue that is close to her heart in many ways. With the idea that it takes 21 days to build a habit, the challenge encourages people to consciously “create a habit” that reduces our carbon footprint.
In addition to working with her sponsors, Oakley and K2 Snowboarding, to create signature eco friendly products, Gretchen has also started her own reusable water bottle company, ALEX Bottle, with husband and former Oakley Marketing Manager, Chris Hotell.
Gretchen says, “Every single one of us has a unique opportunity to create awareness and influence change, so the 21 Day Reusable Challenge is a chance for people to stop using disposable products, and inspire their friends and families to do the same by posting videos and photos through their social network.”
To join the reusable challenge, participants need to “like” the 21 Day Reusable Challenge on Facebook. Once a fan of the page, there will be a choice to eliminate one, two, or all three of the disposable products, from your life, for 21 days. From there, participants are encouraged to get friends and family to join the Challenge and share their experiences on Facebook and Twitter. Gretchen’s followers vote on the most inspirational stories and the top five individuals with the most liked stories will win products from Gretchen’s sponsors Oakley, K2, and ALEX Bottle. The grand prize is a snowboarding package, including a new K2 Snowboard, Oakley goggles, and of course, an ALEX Bottle.
ACES and Gretchen hope to spread the message and encourage people to participate in the challenge, eliminating some unnecessary waste from their everyday lives while also raising awareness. In addition to wanting to get the public involved, Gretchen has also asked other athletes going into Winter X Games 16 to take the challenge with her.
“Most of these athletes already practice sustainability and this is a chance for them to show it and encourage their fans to do the same” says Gretchen, who uses her snow sports platform to support environmental practices that combat climate change, ultimately protecting the winters she loves.
To post images and videos of your own 21 Day Challenge go to www.facebook.com/21dayreusablechallenge (a requirement to be a part of the contest).
Follow ACES and Gretchen on Twitter for 21 Day Reusable Challenge updates/posts and if/when you tweet back, please use #reusablechallenge.
Finally, watch Gretchen's hometown video explaining and exhibiting her efforts with the 21DRC!
