Waste hierarchy

The waste management hierarchy, waste hierarchy, or "hierarchy of waste management options", is a <a href="/facts/Tool/KhhEHz1I">tool</a> used in the evaluation of processes that <a href="/facts/Environmental_protection/HoD7nCUq">protect the environment</a> alongside <a href="/facts/Resource_consumption/CpFK27ok">resource</a> and <a href="/facts/Energy_consumption/VEVdNxAR">energy consumption</a> from most favourable to least favourable actions. The hierarchy establishes preferred program priorities based on <a href="/facts/Sustainability/9oYH9mAs">sustainability</a>. To be sustainable, waste management cannot be solved only with technical end-of-pipe solutions and an integrated approach is necessary.
The hierarchy indicates an order of preference for action to reduce and manage waste, and is usually presented diagrammatically in the form of a pyramid. The hierarchy captures the progression of a material or product through successive stages of <a href="/facts/Waste_management/EKXuEqQU">waste management</a>, and represents the latter part of the <a href="/facts/Product_lifecycle/G3U6gtBv">life-cycle for each product</a>.
The aim of the waste hierarchy is to extract the maximum practical benefits from products and to generate the minimum amount of waste. The proper application of the waste hierarchy can have several benefits. It can help prevent <a href="/facts/Greenhouse_gas_emissions/Cu9nXPHE">emissions of greenhouse gases</a>, reduce pollutants, save energy, conserve resources, create jobs and stimulate the development of green technologies.

Waste hierarchy open-in-new

Waste hierarchy