It goes without saying that the easiest way to deal with the problem of waste is not to create it in the first place.

But that's not always possible, of course, so the next best way to minimise waste is to try to re-use the materials wherever you can.

If you can't do that, you then have to consider whether the discarded items could be broken down to their raw materials again and made into new products.

This hierarchy of options is referred to the 3 Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Notice that disposal doesn't even rate a mention in the 3 Rs, because it is the last resort, and should only be used if you've already exhausted the other possibilities.

Here are some practical examples.

Reduce

Try to use materials as efficiently as you can, and minimise the amount of reject stock you produce. If you need to cut certain materials to specific sizes, work out which stock sizes will give you the best recovery, and therefore the least amount of off-cuts.

Reuse

See if your suppliers can deliver their products in returnable packaging, such as pallets and drums. Then they can pick them up when they drop off your next order. The same thing applies to plastic containers.

Recycle

Many products are now recyclable, and some companies offer to pick them up for free, or even pay you by the tonne when they collect them. Recyclable materials include glass, aluminium, steel, plastic, paper and cardboard, and toner cartridges.

Disposal

If you need to store waste while it's waiting to be picked up and disposed of, make sure it is kept secure so that it doesn't blow away or escape into the storm water system. Remember, too, that you mustn't bury waste on-site - this constitutes a landfill activity and is illegal unless your company has an EPA waste licence.

Never put liquid waste into the waste bin.

Materials in the waste bin generally go to landfill, so it should only ever be used for dry, solid waste.

Always drain and clean anything containing leftover fluid before you put it in the bin.

Depending on the type of liquid it is, you can then either recycle or treat it, or put it aside for removal by a waste disposal contractor.