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.
When starting from scratch, the most urgent is to collect waste and dispose of it safely. Prevention and waste recovery initiatives will continue to grow.
This guidance document focuses on the support mechanisms for the implementation of effective municipal waste management systems tailored to national and local conditions.
This Note was initially developed with an ISWA working group with the aim of informing the Plastic Treaty negotiations in April 2024. It was then further elaborated and refined by PFD members and republished in autumn 2024.
