REDUCE AND REUSE - 1970

The Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939, Sher) declared that the state’s hierarchy for waste management is: first, Source Reduction; second, Recycling and Composting; and finally, environmentally safe transformation and disposal.

According to the hierarchy, before considering recycling or disposal, one should first seek opportunities to reduce the generation of waste. Source reduction includes purchasing strategies that help to eliminate waste or packaging. The best example of source reduction is the use of duplex rather than single sided printing. Source reduction also includes reuse. Reutilizations of surplus properties are an example of reuse, as are “last chance” areas. Last chance areas are places designated to store extra or surplus office supplies and equipment that staff can access rather than purchasing new materials.

For more information on Waste Reduction: Reduce Waste