Waste minimisation is a set of processes and practices intended to reduce the amount of waste produced. By reducing or eliminating the generation of harmful, persistent waste, waste minimisation supports efforts to promote a more sustainable society. Waste minimisation involves redesigning products and processes and/or changing societal patterns of consumption and production. The most environmentally resourceful, economically efficient, and cost effective way to manage waste often is to not have to address the problem in the first place. Managers see waste minimisation as a primary focus for most waste management strategies. Proper waste treatment and disposal can require a significant amount of time and resources; therefore, the benefits of waste minimisation can be considerable if carried out in an effective, safe and sustainable manner. Traditional waste management focuses on processing waste after it is created, concentrating on re-use, recycling, and waste-to-energy conversion. Waste minimisation involves efforts to avoid creating the waste during manufacturing. To effectively implement waste minimisation the manager requires knowledge of the production process, cradle-to-grave analysis (the tracking of materials from their extraction to their return to Earth) and details of the composition of the waste. The main sources of waste vary from country to country. In the UK, most waste comes from the construction and demolition of buildings, followed by mining and quarrying, industry and commerce. Household waste constitutes a relatively small proportion of all waste. Industrial waste is often tied to requirements in the supply chain. For example, a company handling a product may insist that it should be shipped using particular packing because it fits downstream needs. Proponents of waste minimisation state that manufactured products at the end of their useful life should be utilised as a resource for recycling and reuse rather than waste.
Benefits Waste minimisation can protect the environment and often turns out to have positive economic benefits. Waste minimisation can improve:
Efficient production practices – waste minimisation can achieve more output of product per unit of input of raw materials. Economic returns – more efficient use of products means reduced costs of purchasing new materials, improving the financial performance of a company. Public image – the environmental profile of a company is an important part of its overall reputation and waste minimisation reflects a proactive movement towards environmental protection. Quality of products produced – innovations and technological practices can reduce waste generation and improve the quality of the inputs in the production phase. Environmental responsibility – minimising or eliminating waste generation makes it easier to meet targets of environmental regulations, policies, and standards; the environmental impact of waste will be reduced.
Industries
In industry, using more efficient manufacturing processes and better materials generally reduces waste production. The application of waste minimisation techniques has led to the development of innovative and commercially successful replacement products. Waste minimisation efforts often require investment, which is usually compensated by the savings. However, waste reduction in one part of the production process may create waste production in another part. Overpackaging is the use of excess packaging. Eliminating it can result in source reduction, reducing waste before it is generated by proper package design and practice. The use of minimised packaging is key to working toward sustainable packaging.
Processes Reuse of scrap material Scraps can be immediately reincorporated at the beginning of the manufacturing line so they do not become waste. Many industries routinely do this; for example, paper mills return any damaged rolls to the beginning of the production line, and in the manufacture of plastic items, off-cuts and scrap are re-incorporated into new products. Improved quality control and process monitoring Steps can be taken to keep the number of reject batches to a minimum. This is achieved by increasing the frequency of inspection and the number of points of inspection. For example, installing automated continuous monitoring equipment can help to identify production problems at an early stage. Waste exchanges This is where the waste product of one process becomes the raw material for a second process. Waste exchanges represent another way of reducing waste disposal volumes for waste that cannot be eliminated. Ship to point of use This involves delivering incoming raw materials or components directly to the point where they are assembled or used in the manufacturing process to minimise handling and the use of protective wrappings or enclosures (example: Fish-booking). Zero waste This is a whole-systems approach that aims to eliminate waste at the source and at all points down the supply chain, with the intention of producing no waste. It is a design philosophy which emphasizes waste prevention as opposed to end-of-pipe waste management. Since, globally speaking, waste as such, however minimal, can never be prevented (there will always be an end-of-life even for recycled products and materials), a related goal is prevention of pollution. Minimalism Minimalism often refers to the concepts of art and music, even though a minimal lifestyle could make a huge impact for waste management and producing zero waste, which can reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfills and environmental pollution. When the endless consumption is reduced to a minimum of only necessary consumption, the careless production towards the demand will be reduced. A minimal lifestyle can impact climate justice by reducing waste. Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus directed and produced a movie called Minimalism: A Documentary that showcased the idea of minimal living in the modern world.
Product design
Universal connectors Utilizing a charger port that can be used by any phone. The implementation of USB-C to reduce excess wires that end up in the waste that give off toxic chemicals that harm the planet.
… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.
