However, it is even more important over the long term to reduce waste generated in the first place by purchasing materials with less packaging, not buying unnecessary items, and reusing materials as many times as possible. Source reduction or waste prevention involves reducing the quantity of waste generated. Waste that is never created does not have to be managed. Waste prevention conserves resources, reduces pollution and waste managements costs. That is why waste prevention is the highest priority in the State of California s integrated waste management hierarchy.
Recycling involves producing new commodities out of discarded materials.
Natural resources are hidden treasures of the Earth that have developed during the formation of the Earth or by ecosystems. Water, oxygen, minerals, and plants are examples of natural resources. An enormous quantity of natural resources are used to produce goods we consume, and the use of these resources produce a lot of waste. Many natural resources are nonrenewable, which means that they are irreplaceable. Nonrenewable resources, such as oil and minerals, are especially precious because the Earth cannot make more of these materials.