THE WASTE HIERARCHY

There is no ‘away’ Step 2 – Re-use We should try to reuse materials for the The waste hierarchy is a framework for purpose for which they were designed, or establishing the order of preference for sometimes for other purposes (e.g. wooden diff erent waste management options. It is pallets can be use in reuse building projects). based on the cradle-to-grave principle - where the product is followed from its production to Step 3 – Recycle & Compost its ‘grave’ or fi nal disposal. We need to recycle and compost as much as The order is usually set out as below: possible that is left after reduction and reuse. Landfi ll bans of organic waste and existing Step 1 – Reduce recyclable items could eliminate half of what We should aim to reduce and/or prevent the currently goes to landfi ll. amount of waste produced such as unnecessary packaging. We should design-out waste at the Step 4 – Recover Energy manufacturing stage. Plastic shopping bags can Recover the energy and raw resources be used as a simple example of this principle. If embedded in the waste. we don’t accept or use products that become waste, we reduce resource consumption and Step 5 – Residual Disposal prevent those materials from entering the What waste remains after steps one to four, we waste stream in the fi rst place. Reduction or would send to landfi ll. This is the LAST option. prevention is the best option.

This resource sheet was developed by Zero Waste Network Aotearoa with support from Auckland Councils Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund. For more info on Zero Waste Network visit: www.zerowaste.co.nz WHERE DOES THE CONCEPT DO WE NEED A NEW MODEL? COME FROM? Increasingly the cradle-to-grave model is seen as insufficient alone to create significant The origin of the concept is unknown, but change towards a sustainable future. This has been around since the 1970’s. During this model is generally product centered, but period, with the increasing influence of the as concerns about sustainability become environmental movement, environmental broader a whole systems model is emerging. protection became a second major driver This new ‘cradle-to-cradle’ approach requires (public health was the first) for change in things such as transport, occupational health waste management. The waste hierarchy and safety, working conditions and fair trade was first introduced into policy in the to be considered as well. While parts of the European Union’s Waste Framework Directive waste hierarchy (particularly the 3 R’s of of 1975. It has since been formalised into Reduce, Re-use and Recycle) are still seen as a series of waste management options in vital to achieving sustainability, these new countries around the world, including New considerations suggest that the design of Zealand, and has been imbedded in the products and services is equally New Zealand Waste Strategy in the form as important. of the ‘5R’s’ since 1992. Much of the practice and design of waste The hierarchy draws on the precautionary management has relied on centralised principle (in that reducing waste is likely to systems, which have been most cost cause far less harm to people and/or the effective during a period of relative cheap environment than putting it into landfill will), transport fuels. As congestion and fuel costs and it prioritises the reduction of waste, then increase, decentralised solutions appear its reuse, recycling, and recovery and lastly the more attractive. Advanced economies, such optimisation of its final disposal. as the Nordic countries, have identified The waste hierarchy can be roughly divided source separation and householder into two parts: those activities that can be responsibility as integral to a sustainable carried out by individuals/operational teams waste solution. in a home/organisation and those that Some waste management experts have are carried out by specialists outside the recently incorporated a 6th R: “Re-think”, organization. Reduction, re-use and recycling with the implied meaning that the present are able to be undertaken at the level of the system may have fundamental flaws, and household, providing more opportunity for that a thoroughly effective system of waste engagement by individuals in these activities, management may need an entirely new than in the recovery and way of looking at waste. Rethinking and disposal of waste. redesigning the whole system is very much at the heart of the zero waste philosophy and practice.

Thanks to ZWN Member the Waiheke Resources Trust for their help with the writing of this resource. For more info check out: www.wrt.org.nz