Waste minimisation
Each year in Australia, each one of us generates an average of two tonnes of industrial, commercial and domestic waste with most of it ending up in landfill. As well as industrial, commercial and domestic waste, there is demolition waste, radioactive waste, sewage sludge, agricultural waste, mining wastewaters, and waste of energy and water.
Household bins contain various types of waste, such as plastic, glass, paper, vegetable scraps and food waste. The quantity of each varies depending on factors like the season and the size of the family using the bin.
What is waste minimisation?
Waste minimisation aims to eliminate waste before it is produced and reduce its quantity and toxicity. Prevention is the primary goal, followed by reuse, recycling, treatment and appropriate disposal.
Why minimise waste?
Population increase and high consumption of products in the developed world has created a global waste problem. Affluence has created effluence - the more we have, the more we have to dispose of safely. Scientists now believe we're producing more waste than the environment can absorb. The benefits of minimising waste include:
- reducing demand for landfill space
- saving resources and energy
- reducing pollution
- increasing the efficiency of production.
If each person changes the way they think and act, the production of waste can be reduced.
Last updated 3 April 2012