You have probably heard of proper waste management, but do you really know exactly what the term means? Often, when we think of waste management, we think of waste disposal and such tasks and activities such as recycling, re-using, and reducing. But waste management actually encompasses so much more than this – as you are soon to find out.

The basic definition of waste management: what it’s all about

Simply put, waste management is a term that refers to all the actions as well as activities required for the proper management of waste – not only from its inception, but through to its final and complete disposal. In essence, waste management includes the collection of waste, its transport, the treatment of waste, and its complete disposal. But apart from this, waste management also includes such tasks as waste monitoring and waste regulation. What’s more, when it comes to proper waste management, this includes other regulatory and legal frameworks which are related to waste management (such as recycling guides, etc.).

Not one, but all

Often, we also have the mistaken impression that waste management only involves specific kinds of waste, such as plastic or glass. But in waste management, all the different types of waste are included, whether this waste has been produced due to the extraction of a raw material, the producing or processing of a particular raw material into a product, or the consumption of a product. Waste can also come from various activities done by humans, and is categorised as municipal waste (waste coming from residences, institutions, and commercial establishments), agricultural waste, or special waste which pertains to waste associated with the health care sector, hazardous household waste, or sewage).

The aim of proper waste management

The aim of proper and effective waste management is quite simple: to reduce the negative or unpleasant effects of various types of waste on health, aesthetics, or the environment.

The principles driving waste management

There are a number of principles which define and drive waste management practices. One of the most common is waste hierarchy. Basically, the waste hierarchy principle or concept involves the 3Rs – ‘reduce, re-use, and recycle.’ In fact, these 3Rs are often the most important activities which contribute to the minimising of waste and proper waste management. The waste hierarchy principle also has another aim or goal: to maximise the benefits of any product as well as to produce the least amount of waste.

Other principles followed in waste management include resource efficiency, product life cycles, and the ‘polluter pays’ policy.

As a business, it’s your responsibility to have a proper waste management collection system, at the very least. But you can at least start from there – and then move your way forward in order to achieve the best waste management system for your needs.