Waste Hierarchy
The waste hierarchy is a simple ranking of which waste management options are best for the environment.
Ultimately, we should be aiming to prevent items from becoming waste in the first place, by reducing the amount of waste we create, only buying what we need, and using what we already have.
If waste is to be created, the next best option is to reuse those items, which might involve repairing or refurbishment, or borrowing, renting or buying second-hand.
Recycling comes next and is the most environmentally friendly solution when it comes to disposing of waste, helping to turn materials into new items once they can no longer be used.
For items we can’t recycle, it might be possible to implement recovery, whereby energy can be recovered from incinerating non-recyclable waste, and turned into electricity and heat.
Unsurprisingly, the least sustainable option in the waste hierarchy is disposal which often means landfill. In Solihull we ensure that minimal household waste is sent to landfill by only sending material that cannot be recovered.
Keep Britain Tidy has also unveiled an alternative waste hierarchy to encourage reduce and reuse behaviours.