What is the goal of 'reducing' in waste management?

The goal of 'reducing' in waste management focuses primarily on decreasing the overall volume of waste produced. This principle emphasizes actions and strategies aimed at minimizing waste at the source, which can involve optimizing processes, changing consumption habits, and designing products that require less material input or generate less waste.

By reducing waste, individuals and organizations can lessen their environmental impact, conserve resources, and also potentially save money on disposal costs. This approach recognizes that creating less waste in the first place is more effective than managing waste after it has been generated.

While limiting the use of hazardous materials, enhancing recycling rates, and eliminating all waste are important aspects of waste management, they do not specifically encapsulate the core aim of reduction. The reduction strategy is fundamentally about producing less waste rather than focusing on hazardous materials alone or increasing recycling, which comes into play after waste has already been generated. The idea of complete elimination of waste is impractical, as some waste generation is inherent in various activities and processes. Thus, the essence of reduction is about minimizing waste volume proactively.