Principles of waste management

Modern waste management does everything it can to ensure the efficient use of valuable raw materials and energy. Less waste is good for the environment, protects people and saves resources.

listing of the principles of waste management
"inverted pyramid" of the principles of waste management, photo: BMK

Directive No 2008/98/EC (Waste Framework Directive) mentions waste prevention, re-use and recycling as top priorities in its five-tier waste management hierarchy.

Prevention means not only measures taken to lower the quantity of waste generated, including the re-use of products or the extension of the life span of products, but also measures taken to reduce the adverse impacts of waste on the environment and human health and the avoidance of harmful products:

Waste avoidance, re-use, recycling, recovery, removal – waste management works along these principles.