For too long, waste has been treated as an inevitable cost of doing business—something to be minimised rather than eliminated, and certainly not something that could generate value. That thinking is changing.
The waste hierarchy in practice
The waste hierarchy—prevent, reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, dispose—is well understood in theory, but many businesses focus primarily on the lower levels. The real value lies in moving up the hierarchy.
Finding hidden value
Start by understanding exactly what you’re throwing away. Detailed waste audits often reveal materials that have value to other businesses, by-products that could be sold or reused, and opportunities for process changes that eliminate waste at source.
Circular economy opportunities
The circular economy isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a practical framework for rethinking how materials flow through your business. What opportunities exist to close loops, extend product life, or design waste out of your processes?
Getting started
A good waste audit is the foundation for improvement. Understanding exactly what waste you generate, where it comes from, and what it costs you is the first step toward turning waste from a cost into an opportunity.