INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT REDUCES THE WASTE STREAM
FIGURE 12.18 The U.S. EPA takes a prioritized, hierarchical approach to waste management, with the highest priority given to waste reduction and reuse. Of the amount of waste eventually discarded, as much as possible is recycled, composted (organic wastes), or used as an energy source. The remainder is stored in sanitary landfill disposal sites constructed to avoid environmental contamination. (After EPA, 2013c)