Waste Hierarchy Pyramid

Waste Hierarchy Pyramid

The waste hierarchy refers to the "3 Rs" reduce, reuse and recycle, which classify waste management strategies according to their desirability. The 3 Rs are meant to be a hierarchy, in order of importance.

The revised Waste Framework Directive introduced a changed hierarchy of options for managing wastes. It gives top priority to preventing waste in the first place. When waste is created, it gives priority to preparing it for re-use, then recycling, then other recovery such as energy recovery, and last of all disposal.

The Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 apply the requirements for the waste hierarchy. Regulation 12 says that businesses who import or produce, collect, transport, recover or dispose of waste, or who operate as dealers and brokers, must take all reasonable measures to apply the waste hierarchy when the waste is transferred.

Also, if you hold or require an environmental permit for an operation that generates waste, you will have to comply with a permit condition concerning the application of the waste hierarchy.