The Waste Management Hierarchy

Source: https://www.thebalance.com

The waste hierarchy, typically displayed as an inverted triangle, offers a hierarchical

approach to showing most preferred versus least preferred approaches to solid
waste generation and management. The actual categories may vary in specific name
and number, depending upon the particular group using this model, but the essential
thought process is that the avoidance of consumption and source reduction, along
with reuse, are preferable to recycling, which in turn is preferred to waste-to-energy
and ultimately to placement in landfills. The United States EPA categories the waste
hierarchy into four categories, which is reviewed below.
1. Source Reduction and Reuse

Durable plastic pallet. PTM

The most preferred approach to waste management is to not create it in the first
place. This can involve the choice to avoid unnecessary consumption of goods and
services, and it can also include purposefully reducing the inputs that go into the
creation of products - source reduction. Such source reduction efforts can include
the decreased usage of virgin materials and energy conservation, as well as the
creation of less pollution and toxicity of waste. Popular initiatives include packaging
reduction, more energy-efficient production and facilities, the use of renewable

energy sources, and more fuel efficient transportation of goods. Thereduction of

water consumption and water footprint has recently become a focal point for waste
reduction efforts.

Reuse is another powerful tact to avoid waste generation. For example, reusable
packaging systems can eliminate the need for disposable packaging, and also
provide better product protection, thus reducing product damage and losses
associated with it. Aside from reusable packaging. More generally speaking, the
creation of more durable goods can be a beneficial approach to waste reduction.
2. Recycling and Composting

Managing a pallet wrap retrieval program from multiple locations requires

communication, coordination and commitment to ensure success.

To the extent that initial source reduction or the use of durable reusable goods is not
possible, the next preferred approach involves recycling of products, or the
composting of organic matter.

Recycling involves the collection, sorting, and processing of products into raw
materials that can be used as inputs for the production of new products. For its part,

the recycling of products generally results in a material that is more energy-efficient,

less polluting and more cost effective to produce, while avoiding the consumption of
virgin materials. Take, for example, the case of aluminum. Over 61 billion aluminum
cans were recycled and reused in the US in 2011, representing a 65 percent
recovery rate. In the process of being recovered, the use of 17 million barrels of
gasoline was avoided, in that less energy is required to process recycled material
than virgin content.

Composting involves the diversion of organic material such as yard trimmings and
food scraps from landfills, thus preventing the emission of harmful greenhouse
gasses.
3. Waste-to-Energy

The process of waste-to-energy (WTE) involves the capture of energy from trash.
This is accomplished through a variety of approaches, including waste incineration,
pyrolization, anaerobic, digestion, gasification and landfill gas recovery.

In Sweden, for example, roughly one-half of solid waste is incinerated to generate

electricity. Pyrolysis is used in such processes as creating clean energy from old
tires, as well as in converting scrap plastic into oil.
4. Treatment and Disposal

Disposal is the final option in the waste hierarchy, however, a key component of
integrated waste management. Landfills are the most common approach to disposal,
with the design, operation and end-of-life requirements strictly controlled. In the U.S.,
landfills must follow strict standards established by EPA, and are typically regulated
at the state, tribal or local level.

Even at landfills, there is attention to recovery. Methane gas, which is generated by

decaying organic matter, may be captured for energy. And after closure, landfills can
be capped and repurposed for other use such as parks or golf courses.