The Waste Hierarchy

Preventing waste in the first place is always the best option, as you can see from the ‘Waste Hierarchy’ below, which ranks waste management options in order of how good they are for the environment. If waste is unavoidable, it should ideally be prepared for re-use, recycled or turned into something else of value (such as energy). Disposal in general waste is the last resort.

Your business should aim to ‘move up’ the waste hierarchy in the way you treat your waste, and as we’re about to find out, there might even be a bonus: as well as improving your eco-credentials, it could save you money!