Source separation refers to preventing hazardous waste from coming into contact with nonhazardous waste. It is the cheapest and easiest way to reduce hazardous waste. Source separation reduces costs for disposal, handling, and transportation and is widely used by industry. A good example is avoiding contamination of a large amount of water by using another method to clean hazardous materials from machines or products instead of washing them. Recycling , also referred to as recovery and reuse, is common in industry.
Recycling removes a substance from a waste and returns it to productive use.
Industries commonly recycle solvents, acids, and metals. Substitution of raw materials involves replacing raw materials that generate a large amount of hazardous waste with those that generate little or no waste. Manufacturers can substantially reduce waste volume through substitution. Industry often substitutes recycled products for raw natural resources. For example, a manufacturer can use recycled aluminum cans instead of aluminum ore in making new cans.