There are many ways to manage waste. The Zero Waste Framework lists them in order of most to least preferred. 

  • Rethink/redesign, reduce and reuse focus on preventing waste from being created. These actions provide the most environmental, economic and social benefits.
  • Recycle/compost and recover focus on keeping waste out of landfill. These actions aim to turn waste materials into new products or energy.
  • Residuals management focuses on waste that cannot be recycled, composted or recovered. This includes landfilling. 

Waste prevention reduces the amount of natural resources used, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, reduces the cost of collecting and managing waste, and redistributes usable items among community members.

Learn more about each level of the Zero Waste Framework, and find out how you can get on board. 

waste management hierarchy