Waste Hierarchy
The Waste Hierarchy is a guideline that prioritizes waste management practices to reduce environmental impact. It suggests that the best option is to prevent waste creation altogether. If waste is unavoidable, the next best steps are to prepare it for reuse, recycle it, and recover energy from it. Finally, if none of these options are feasible, disposal in landfills should be the last resort. By following this hierarchy, individuals and organizations can minimize waste and its effects on the planet.
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The waste hierarchy is a guiding framework for managing waste in a way that reduces its impact on the environment. It prioritizes actions as follows: first, prevent waste generation; second, prepare for reuse; third, recycle; fourth, recover energy from waste; and lastly, dispose of waste (usually in landfills). This approach encourages minimizing waste production, maximizing resource use, and reducing harmful effects on ecosystems. By following this hierarchy, we can make more sustainable choices, conserve resources, and lessen pollution.