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Zero-Waste Micro-Decisions You Can Make to Help The Environment

July 8, 2018 Posted by Hillary Minimalism, Natural Lifestyle

Zero-waste micro-decisions are small choices you can make every day to positively affect the environment. These micro-decisions are seemingly insignificant on their own, but add up into real results over time.

In my opinion, it’s the macro-scariness of zero-waste that stops people from being more eco-friendly. So I’m here to tell you, you don’t have to commit to a zero-waste lifestyle to help the environment. Just take it one zero-waste micro-decisions at a time.

You don’t have to fit all your trash in a glass bottle.  Being zeroish-waste is better than being wasteful. 

Related Post: Eco-Product Alternative for a Lower Plastic Lifestyle

Zero Waste Micro-Decisions

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Zero-Waste Micro-Decisions in All Their (Minimalist) Glory

  1. Opt for canned beverages over (plastic) bottled beverages.

  2. Ask for paper instead of plastic at the grocery store.

  3. Keep reusable bags in your car.

    So you have them when you need them.

  4. Turn down the plastic bag for your 6 pack (of beer).

    It has a cardboard handle. Enough said.

  5. When checking out say “no bag please” if you can carry it.

  6. Use re-usable bags at checkout.

  7. Bring a reusable water bottle with you.

    Hydroflasks are hugely popular in Guam. If you need to keep a drink cold in hot weather, Hydroflask has you covered.

    Related Post: An Expat in Guam: What I Miss About Stateside Living

  8. Bring a reusable travel mug with you.

  9. Put Tupperware in your purse before you head out to dinner.

    A friend of mine pulled collapsible silicone containers out of her purse at a restaurant and we looked at her like she was Mary Poppins. Then later that night she pulled the leftover’s out of her purse after hours of drinking and we were even more impressed.

  10. Portion out snack sizes to cut down on packaging.

    This saves money too. #winning

  11. Say “no straw please” when ordering a drink at a restaurant.

    Requesting straws from servers should be the norm. But we won’t get there until people start turning them down to begin with.

  12. Opt for aluminum foil over plastic wrap or plastic baggies.

  13. Turn down the plastic cutlery if you’re bringing takeout home.

  14. Buy bar soap for hand soap.

    If your bar soap is getting too slimy it’s because you need a soap dish.

  15. Buy bar soap for body wash.

  16. Try a shampoo bar.

    Shampoo bars work just like regular shampoo. I don’t know why more people aren’t using them.

    I bought my Ethique shampoo bar off Amazon. It did make my hair a little dry the first few washes, but after a week everything was back to normal.

  17. Bundle your online purchases.

    This will also save you $$$s.

  18. Tell Amazon to use paper for packaging.

    This video from Shelbizleee will walk you through it.

  19. Save brown paper packaging for wrapping gifts.

  20. Save that gift bag for re-gifting.

  21. Buy garbage bags made from recycled plastic.

    Ultrasac trash bags are made from 90% recycled materials.

  22. Buy plastic cups made from recycled plastic.

    If you’re going to buy single use items, buy responsibly.

    BlueStripe Eco-Products plastic cups are made from 25% recycled plastic. I know that doesn’t seem like a high percentage, but it’s the highest I could find.

  23. Pick silicone over plastic when purchasing.

    Silicone is made (mostly) from sand. Unlike plastic it can withstand heating and cooling without leaching toxins into your food.

  24. Donate your used clothes instead of dumping them.

  25. Don’t get discouraged because a zero-waste micro-decision passes you by.

PLEASE COMMENT BELOW!

What zero-waste micro-decisions did I miss?

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Tags: intentional livingzeroish waste

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9 Comments

Leave your reply.
  • Hannah Becker
    · Reply

    July 31, 2018 at 1:26 PM

    What great tips!!!! I started asking for paper over plastic bags a few years ago, and just recently made the switch to reusable bags when grocery shopping. I had not thought about using bar soap for body wash, shampoo, hand soap – thanks for the tip!!! I’ll have to switch that over too. Anything to help our environment 🙂

  • Tabitha
    · Reply

    August 5, 2018 at 3:18 AM

    My newest change: Ditch the plastic poop bags!!! We bought a pooper scooper for our walks! Saves $$ and is better for the environment 🙂

  • Earthly Iris
    · Reply

    October 11, 2018 at 12:36 PM

    Thank you for these usefull tips! Let’s make the World a better place!

  • Rosie (@greenrosielife)
    · Reply

    October 11, 2018 at 3:30 PM

    The other thing I would add is to keep contacting suppliers and shops – let them know and say thank you when you see they are making steps to reduce plastic and shame them for using excessively bad packaging. Tell them if you have stopped buying something and why. They may not notice one person who tops buying something but will see be made aware when you contact them.

  • Leanne (@ecothriftylifestyle)
    · Reply

    October 11, 2018 at 6:34 PM

    There are some great tips here! I haven’t yet come across collapsible containers so it’s great to know they are available.

    I think you’re right…trying to go zero waste can seem daunting, and so breaking it down into small steps is a great way to do it 🙂

  • Sol
    · Reply

    October 11, 2018 at 9:58 PM

    Hi Hilary,
    I love the way you call It zero-ish waste! think it makes a scary concept much more manageable, because we can all make these change you’ve suggested and in the long run that will have a huge impact. Another suggestion to add to your list would be to gift people some of the suggestions you’ve made here like a pretty reuseable coffee cup or a travel pouch with cutlery in, or gift experiences or charity gifts like those available at http://www.presencenotpresents.org

  • Jenica @ Zero Waste Wisdom
    · Reply

    October 11, 2018 at 11:51 PM

    I love the comment about Mary Poppins with her pop-up silicone container! I also have a pop-up bowl and cup made by SeatoSummit that I carry with me. I’ve definitely gotten some funny looks as well! 🙂

  • Amy
    · Reply

    October 12, 2018 at 12:05 AM

    Great tips! I am a huge fan of micro decisions, it makes life so much easier and is a great mindset when trying to go zerowaste and avoid overwhelm.

  • Amanda
    · Reply

    October 12, 2018 at 5:38 AM

    Great post, I like how easily accessible these decisions are!

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About Me

Badass Milspouse

Hi I’m Hillary! I’m a well put together hot mess of the great American millennial generation. 

After a somewhat nomadic lifestyle of my own, I met my now husband and quickly became a milso and then military spouse.

Now I live on the other side of the world, work in a totally different career field, and navigate life to the best of my adulting capabilities.

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  1. Eco-Product Alternatives for a Lower Plastic Lifestyle
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  5. Can You Shop Your Way to Minimalism?! Becoming a Minimalist Through Shopping

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