The approach to solid waste management has been set in hierarchy, avoidance being the first in rank and disposal the last. The hierarchy is set up in a descending order, the first in rank being the most preferred solid waste management strategy and the last being the least preferred. Other waste management strategies included in the hierarchy include reduction, reusing, recycling, recovering and treatment.

Why is avoidance on the top of the hierarchy? Avoidance is the easiest and most effective way to avoid waste. Without waste, there is nothing to manage – thus solves the problem. But how can you avoid waste? Easy things like buying stuffs that have long life, using reusable green bags rather than plastic bags, not throwing papers unless you have used up all the spaces, etc. will help avoid waste disposal. Companies and factories are also embracing the avoidance strategy by finding ways to reduce the waste done during production.

Another effective waste management strategy included in the hierarchy is reusing old products. Reusing a product helps reduce the consumption of the same product and therefore reduces waste disposal. For instance, instead of throwing glass bottles, you can reuse them. If all people will reuse products, imagine how much waste we have reduced. Even in schools, kids are encouraged to reuse. For instance, in art activities, kids can use old stuffs to create new ones.

There are some things that you can’t reuse but you can definitely recycle. For instance, some plastic bottles can just be reused for a couple of times. Instead of throwing them, you can consider recycling them. If you don’t want to recycle them on your own, then you can at least give it to companies or factories that can recycle them. Most factories nowadays use recyclable materials rather than raw materials.

The last waste management strategy in the hierarchy is the disposal. You only dispose waste when you can’t avoid it, you can’t reuse or recycle it. This is the least preferred waste management strategy as it does harm on the environment. Waste also causes innumerable health issues – not to mention the money that the government spends in waste disposal. We also utilise a very large area of land that serves as the waste disposal land fill.

The solid waste management hierarchy opens our mind to what we can do as an individual to reduce waste, save lives, save money and save the environment. Remember that as much as possible, avoid throwing wastes and if you can, reuse and recycle all the time.