What is the Waste/Recycling Hierarchy?

The waste hierarchy guides decision making for sustainability by placing prevention at the top: designing out waste and avoiding consumption. Next come reuse and repair to extend product life, followed by recycling and material recovery. When these are not feasible, energy recovery may be used, with landfilling or disposal as the final option. Related terms include the 3 Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and circular economy. Applying the hierarchy helps conserve resources, reduce emissions, and safeguard human health.