The Zero Waste Hierarchy

The Zero Waste Hierarchy is a guiding framework to reduce waste and protect the environment. It prioritizes actions from most to least effective: first, reduce waste by using less; then, reuse items whenever possible; next, recycle materials into new products. After that, compost organics like food scraps and yard waste. Finally, if waste cannot be avoided, dispose of it responsibly. This hierarchy encourages thinking critically about consumption and waste, aiming to minimize environmental impact by focusing on prevention and sustainable practices rather than just managing waste after it's created.