Zero Waste Starter Checklist
Where to start, sorted by room and by cost, beginning with the swaps that cost nothing.
Zero Waste Starter Checklist
Kitchen, bathroom, laundry, closet and out-and-about swaps marked Free, $ or $$, with a table for your next three.
- Swaps for kitchen, bathroom, laundry, closet and out and about
- Each marked Free, $ or $$ so you start with the free ones
- A table for your next three swaps
The lowest-waste product is the one you already own. That is why the first column on every page of this checklist is marked Free: leftovers used up before the shop, jars you already have, a t-shirt cut into rags, a plate over the bowl.
The $ and $$ swaps come after, for when something runs out. Shampoo bar when the bottle is empty, wool dryer balls when the sheets are gone. One swap at a time, made a habit, then the next.
What is inside
- The one rule: use what you have first, and replace things only when they run out
- Kitchen, bathroom and laundry swaps, each marked Free, $ or $$
- Closet and out-and-about swaps
- My next three swaps: a table with "when this runs out" and a done box
Who it is for
Anyone who wants to waste less without buying a kit of new eco things, and who would like one page that answers "where do I start" without a lecture.
How to use it
- Tick the Free column first. Most people find they are already doing a few.
- Pick one $ swap and write it in the "next three" table with the date you expect to run out.
- Add the next swap only when the first one has stuck for a few weeks.
FAQ
Questions about this printable
Is zero waste actually possible?
Not literally, and the checklist does not pretend otherwise. It is a direction, not a destination. Fewer disposable things, used up fully, replaced thoughtfully. The name is the common search term; the content is realistic.
Why are there prices on it?
Because cost is the thing that stops most people, and because pretending every swap is free is not honest. Marking Free, $ and $$ lets you start where your budget is and plan the bigger ones, such as a safety razor, for when the old one runs out.
Does it tell me what to buy?
It names types of thing, not brands: bar soap, a bamboo toothbrush, detergent in cardboard. What to buy is your call, and secondhand comes first where that makes sense.
Guides that go with it
How to Live More Sustainably on a Budget: 10 Ways That Save Money
Practical Steps for a Sustainable Lifestyle: Beginner's Guide
7 Eco-Friendly Product Examples for a Greener Home
