A proper material purchasing program should be fully aware of and account for potential disposal costs before making any purchase. A coordinated material purchasing program can also help a shop to reduce waste. A coordinated program can monitor all requests for products throughout the company or plant, and implement proper purchasing policies. These policies should include staggered deliveries, standardization of products purchased, inventory checks to avoid over-purchase, and screening of products for hazardous components. In addition to the coordinated material purchasing program, an inventory control program which can trace chemical usage from cradle to grave is essential.
Staggered deliveries minimize the amount of stock on hand at any given time.
This reduces the potential for a product becoming waste because its shelf-life expired while in storage. Standardization reduces the number of products purchased, and thus decreases the different types of wastes which must eventually be managed. A good material purchasing program should encourage product suppliers to become responsible partners in a waste minimization program. Such suppliers should be able to provide quick delivery of small orders, accept the return of unopened stock, and be willing to offer or assist in the location of off-site waste management outlets for their products. A refillable valve is an adaptation allowing smaller containers to be refilled from a larger, more economical container which may not be capable of spraying.