What is waste minimisation
Last updated | 26/10/2011
Every company produces waste, whether it is a big multi-national
company, a Small to Medium Enterprise or a self-employed
individual.
What is Waste?
Waste is more than just the contents of the trade waste bin.
Waste Minimisation involves following the three R's: Reduce, Reuse
and Recycle. The most favourable option is for the business to
prevent or reduce the waste occurring in the first place rather
than disposing of it.
How to Minimise Waste
Waste can be minimised by looking at:
- Inputs (for example, energy and raw materials)
- Processes – controlling them and improving them
- Outputs (for example, end products, solid waste, water and
effluent, waste raw materials, heat and energy losses
A Waste Minimisation Initiative should effectively manage all
aspects of a business’s waste.
What are the Benefits of Waste Minimisation?
Minimising waste will help the business to:
- Keep waste disposal costs down
- Keep raw material costs down
- Comply with legislation
- Reduce impact on the environment
- Perhaps support other businesses – one business’s
waste may be another business’s resource!
