Executive Summary
According to the State of California (2008), waste reduction comprises any "actions that are taken before waste is generated to either reduce or completely prevent the generation of waste." Waste reduction includes waste prevention (i.e., any action that prevents the generation of waste), reuse (i.e., reusing an item or material without significantly changing its physical form and for the same or similar purpose for which it was previously used), composting (i.e., recycling organic materials through biological decomposition), and recycling (i.e., using waste in the manufacturing process to create a new product that is different in physical form from the original).
Waste reduction is important for the environment for a number of reasons. First, it can reduce the rate at which our landfills are rapidly filling. In addition, reducing waste can help save energy, emissions, and other impacts on the environment that are the result of the manufacturing process and its supply chain. Even when waste is recycled and used as material in the production of new objects, the environmental impact is often less than if all new materials were used. For example, metals can be recycled almost indefinitely, thereby reducing the need to mine and refine ore. In addition, the properties of metals can be fully restored, which means that they can be used for the same purposes as new metal (Wernick & Themelis, 1998). This means that products made with recycled metals typically have less negative environmental impact.
Similarly, recycling glass has less environmental impact - and is often more cost effective - than creating new glass. Glass melts at a low temperature, which has the effect of prolonging furnace life and requiring less energy from power sources (e.g., electricity, natural gas, coal). In addition, the use of glass cullet reduces emissions of nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, thereby cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the World Wildlife Federation (n.d.) estimates that using recycled glass to produce new glass reduces related air pollution by 20 percent and related water pollution by 50 percent. Recycling glass also reduces the space needed in landfills.
Waste reduction is also important from a business perspective. In general, waste is evidence of an inefficient process whether that be waste material left over from cutting out clothing pieces in the garment industry, scrap metal left over during production in the manufacturing industry, food scraps in the food industry, or scrap paper in the business environment. The production of waste not only demonstrates that the processes of the organization are not as efficient as could be, but also are also costing the organization excess money. By reducing waste, businesses can increase the efficiency of their processes and concomitantly reduce their operating costs. In addition, waste reduction will signal to current and potential customers that the organization is concerned about sustainability, thus enhancing its reputation.
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