The general strategies are listed below and further explained in other fact sheets. The strategy used to develop an integrated waste management system is to identify the level or levels at which the highest values of individual and collective materials can be recovered. For this reason, the list starts with reduction, which suggests using less to begin with and reusing more, thereby saving material production, resource cost, and energy. Strategies for Change Reduction strategies Reduction strategies are any approaches a community may investigate to lower the level of waste being processed. In any of the change strategies, public education and involvement are crucial and in the case of reduction, they are imperative.
Reduction assumes the commitment and involvement of all citizens.
In recycling, waste materials are processed for industrial use and then reformed into new or similar products. Recycling includes preconsumer waste such as factory cuttings or shavings as well as post-consumer waste items. Although recycling is often viewed as a resource conservation activity, it may offer greater return for many products in energy savings. A second means of recapturing value is through the use of the natural biodegradation process. The predominant use of composting programs throughout the United States is in yard wastes.