The waste management hierarchy states the following three priorities :

• Priority 1 is given to prevention, i.e. approaches that avoid the generation of waste and reduce the quantity of waste introduced into the waste stream.
• Priority 2 is to enable waste to be recovered for secondary use, recycling, or energy recovery as much as possible and where it is safe to do so.
• Priority 3 is disposal, which is reserved for the residual waste that cannot be recovered. It must be disposed of in a way that reduces its impact on health and the environment.
  This guidance document focuses on the support mechanisms for the implementation of effective municipal waste management systems tailored to national and local conditions.