Waste reduction strategies resemble other environmental practice principles, by looking at the source of problems. Waste strategies see waste as the source of many problems.

When you calculate the real costs of waste, most employers see the advantages of reducing waste. However, a lot of people think the only cost is the price of the skip. Add up the costs of the raw materials that end up in the bin, the labour costs to clean them up, and transport to get it to the bin, and you soon see there are a lot more costs before disposal.

Waste production cannot be eliminated entirely. But some ways to reduce waste are better than others.

The Waste Hierarchy says that the best way to deal with waste is to reduce the amount produced. After that, find out if the waste can be re-used (e.g. computers), and if not -are there ways to recover some of the waste? This could include recycling parts, composting or use to make energy. Only as a last resort should the waste be disposed, either to landfill or to air.

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