Pathways
Use these Pathways to navigate your journey to help us stop plastic pollution.
1
Browse the Pathways and pick one you’d like to accomplish!
2
Create an account and dive into the first Action!
3
Complete all Actions in a Pathway and earn the Badge! You’ll find it in your Profile.
Pick a Pathway from the lists or scroll to browse.
Have questions about how this works? Find answers below.
Earth Protector Pathway
Try out the Earth Protector Pathway for Earth Month this April – or do it anytime – the Earth with thank you!
– BEGINNER-
1
Do a Single-Use Plastic Waste Audit
Measure your plastic waste at home and identify one way to reduce it.
2
Ask Your Elders
Interview an elder in your family or community to learn how they lived with less plastic.
3
Recharge in Nature
Have fun and relax in nature!
4
Write a Love Letter to the Sea
Give the ocean a voice by sending a Love Letter to the Sea.
Earn the Earth Protector Badge!
Complete all 4 Actions to earn this Earth Protector Badge!
Beginner Pathway
This pathway is perfect for students who are just getting started out on their environmental activism journey.
– BEGINNER-
1
Watch the Story of Plastic Animated Short
Get introduced to the global plastic pollution problem by watching this short video.
2
Explore Uplifting Solutions
Learn about what people are already doing to address plastic pollution by listening to a podcast.
3
Pack a Litterless Lunch
Pack a lunch without single-use plastic.
4
Get Moving with the #Break Free From Plastic Movement
Learn what a social movement is, and how they work, by learning about the global movement to end plastic pollution.
Earn the Earth Protector Badge!
Complete all 4 Actions to earn this Earth Protector Badge!
Sustainable School Pathway
Take these Actions to raise awareness about plastic pollution and guide your fellow students to reduce waste.
– INTERMEDIATE-
1
Trending: #NudeFood
Organize a litterless lunch day with your friends or classmates.
2
Compost Your Food Waste
Collect food scraps in your classroom and learn about the environmental benefits of composting.
3
Banish the Spork Packet
Reduce excess plastic waste in the cafeteria with simple tips.
4
Get Creative with Artivism
Educate the rest of your school with a Public Service Announcement about littering.
Earn the Sustainable School Badge!
Complete all 4 Actions to earn this Sustainable School Badge!
Inspire Change with Art Pathway
Art is one of the most powerful forces for change. Put on your creativity hat and have fun!
– INTERMEDIATE-
1
Create a Better Bag
Sustainable and stylish – inspire others with your upcycled bag.
2
Storytelling for the Future
If you can imagine a better future, you can create it!
3
Get Creative with Artivism
Educate and entertain with a song or video about the problems or solutions to plastic pollution.
4
Write a Love Letter to the Sea
Speak up for the oceans by sending a Love Letter to the Sea to a person in a position of power.
Earn the Artivist Badge!
Complete all 4 Actions to earn this Artivist Badge!
Systems Thinker Pathway
Advance your understanding of plastic pollution by learning about the stakeholders and impacted communities.
– INTERMEDIATE-
1
The Story of Plastic – Watch the Film
Watch The Story of Plastic documentary and share your thoughts with us.
2
Be a Greenwashing Detective
Train yourself to detect greenwashing and understand its complexities.
3
Signal the Alarm on Planned Obsolescence
Learn about another strategy brands use to sell more and make more waste.
4
The Story of Plastic – System Mapping
Map out how plastic influences our world: our choices, planet, health, and social systems.
Earn the Systems Thinker Badge!
Complete all 4 Actions to earn this Systems Thinker Badge.
Environmental Justice Pathway
Learn how plastic production disproportionately impacts communities and take action to create a better future for everyone.
– INTERMEDIATE –
1
Watch “Breathe this Air” Short Documentary.
Watch this video before doing the other actions.
2
Examine Language Injustice with the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Find out how language and historical barriers can oppress a community’s opportunities to shape and protect their own health and environment.
3
Design a Zero Waste Composting Network
Start digging into true solutions that build up communities’ soil and health, and that put a spotlight on plastic waste.
4
Storytelling for the Future
If you can imagine a more sustainable and just future, then you can create it! Write your story then share it with your community.
Earn the Environmental Justice Badge!
Complete all 4 Actions to earn this Environmental Justice Badge.
Activate Your Community Pathway
Follow these Actions to find out how plastic waste is impacting your community and take steps to reduce waste!
– INTERMEDIATE-
1
Map Out My Local Government
Find out who in your city can help address local plastic pollution.
2
Engage with a Community Change-maker
Connect with another change-maker who is addressing plastic pollution in your area.
3
Host a Better Bag Workshop
Get reusable bags into lots of hands and homes by hosting a workshop.
4
Inspire Change in Restaurants
Help a local restaurant cut down on single-use plastics.
Complete all 4 Actions to earn this Community Change-Maker Badge!
Story of Plastic Pathway
Get to the core of plastic pollution and take action from a global perspective.
– ADVANCED-
1
The Story of Plastic – Watch the Film
Watch The Story of Plastic documentary and share your thoughts with us.
2
Write to a Hero in the Film
Write a letter to a hero in The Story of Plastic film to thank them for sharing their story.
3
Host a Screening
Host an in-person or virtual screening of The Story of Plastic documentary.
4
Conduct a #BreakFreeFromPlastic Brand Audit
Hold brands accountable for plastic pollution by adding data for your community to a global study.
Earn the Story of Plastic Badge!
Complete all 4 Actions to earn this Story of Plastic Badge!
Civic Engagement Pathway
Practice collecting data and sharing your story with your local representatives to work towards a more sustainable city.
– ADVANCED-
1
Map Out My Local Government
Find out how your local government is structured.
2
#SkipTheStuff
Learn about a policy that cities are using to reduce unnecessary plastic waste.
3
Attend a City Council Meeting
Bring up plastic pollution with your local government representatives.
4
Engage with a Local Politician
Meet with or write to a local representative about your concerns with, and ideas for addressing plastic pollution in your area.
Earn the Active Citizen Badge!
Complete all 4 Actions to earn this Active Citizen badge!
Questions and Answers
Do I need to create an account to earn a Badge?
Yes, you’ll need to create an account. Both individuals and teams can earn Badges.
Note: If you signed up with your teacher using a class code, you can also earn Badges!
How do I create an account?
Create an Account here, or login to start Tracking your Actions.
How do I submit an Action?
Once you’ve logged in, click on the Action in the Pathway or on the Action Guides page that you want to work on. Near the bottom of the page, you’ll find the “Track Your Contribution” section. Review the form before doing the Action so you know what you’ll need to submit. Once you’ve completed the Action, complete the form, and click SUBMIT! Give our team 1-2 business days to read and review your Action. Once it’s been reviewed you’ll see the Action in the Completed Achievement tab of your Profile. If your Action was rejected, you’ll find a message in the Messages tab of your profile with information on what you need to do to improve your resubmission of the Action. You can resubmit as many times as needed.
Do I need to do the Pathway in the order shown?
No, but we’ve ordered them in a way that they build off each other as you learn.
Who reviews the Actions I submit?
Wayfinder Society is powered completely by the Algalita team.
Trina 
Emily 
Anika 
Katie
Our small team of employees, currently including Trina, Emily, Anika, and Katie, read each submission as soon as possible and assess it according to our rubric.
Read our team bios and learn about our amazing board and advisors here.
How are my submitted Actions reviewed?
As our Actions generally do not include correct/incorrect answers, a submitted Action is approved if:
- Your responses are authentic and show the work you’ve put into completing the Action.
- You’ve completed each prompt to the best of your ability.
- You’ve adequately demonstrated that you’ve understood the prompt and you’ve attempted to provide a quality response.
Actions are generally declined if:
- Your responses are nonsensical or inappropriate.
- Your responses are plagiarized.
What if English isn't my first language?
You may write your responses in your native language and use an online translating tool to translate your responses. Or, you may also submit your responses in your native language. We will use a translating tool to translate your responses for you.
Can I use AI?
While this emerging tool may be helpful, we may reject your submission if we cannot identify that you indeed completed the Action. The nature of this program encourages students to challenge themselves to learn, participate in their community, and take meaningful Action on plastic pollution and environmental issues. Our perspective is that using AI may provide summaries, ideas, and responses for clear cut questions, but it does not help you develop your skills, get into the community, or foster critical thinking that is unique to you! We would rather see a less than “perfect” response that is authentic to you, than a generic and meaningless response from AI.
Do you have more questions or need to contact us?
Please reach out to us if you have additional questions, need assistance, or to let us know how we can better accommodate your needs. Contact us here.
