Processes Waste minimisation

1 processes

1.1 product design

1.1.1 fitting intended use
1.1.2 durability

processes

resource optimization


minimising amount of waste produced organisations or individuals goes hand-in-hand optimizing use of raw materials. example, dressmaker may arrange pattern pieces on length of fabric in particular way enable garment cut out smallest area of fabric.


reuse of scrap material


scraps can re-incorporated @ beginning of manufacturing line not become waste product. many industries routinely this; example, paper mills return damaged rolls beginning of production line, , in manufacture of plastic items, off-cuts , scrap re-incorporated new products.


improved quality control , process monitoring


steps can taken ensure number of reject batches kept minimum. achieved increasing frequency of inspection , number of points of inspection. example, installing automated continuous monitoring equipment can identify production problems @ stage.


waste exchanges


this waste product of 1 process becomes raw material second process. waste exchanges represent way of reducing waste disposal volumes waste cannot eliminated.


ship point of use


this involves making deliveries of incoming raw materials or components direct point assembled or used in manufacturing process minimise handling , use of protective wrappings or enclosures.


zero waste


this whole systems approach aims eliminate waste @ source , @ points down supply chain, intention of producing no waste. design philosophy emphasizes waste prevention opposed end of pipe waste management.

product design

waste minimisation , resource maximisation manufactured products can done @ design stage. reducing number of components used in product or making product easier take apart can make easier repaired or recycled @ end of useful life.

in cases, may best not minimise volume of raw materials used make product, instead reduce volume or toxicity of waste created @ end of product s life, or environmental impact of product s use. (see section durability).

fitting intended use

in strategy, products , packages optimally designed meet intended use. applies packaging materials, should durable necessary serve intended purpose. on other hand, more wasteful if food, has consumed resources , energy in production, damaged , spoiled because of extreme measures reduce use of paper, metals, glass , plastics in packaging.

durability

improving product durability, such extending vacuum cleaner s useful life 15 years instead of 12, can reduce waste , improves resource optimisation.

but in cases has negative environmental impact. if product durable, replacement more efficient technology delayed. example, washing machine produced 10 years ago may use twice water, detergent , energy 1 produced today. therefore, extending older machine s useful life may place heavier burden on environment scrapping it, recycling metal , buying new model. similarly, older vehicles consume more fuel , produce more emissions modern counterparts.

most proponents of waste minimisation consider way forward may view manufactured product @ end of useful life resource recycling , reuse rather waste. recycling product easier if constructed of fewer materials. car manufacturers have reduced number of plastics used in cars twenty or more 3 or four, hence simplifying recovery of plastics scrapped cars. however, exceptions (like having combination of paper , plastic or plastic coating on glass) exist, , might enable product fulfill role minimum of resources.

making refillable glass bottles strong enough withstand several journeys between consumer , bottling plant requires making them thicker , heavier, increases resources required transport them. since transport has large environmental impact, careful evaluation required of number of return journeys bottles make. if refillable bottle thrown away after being refilled several times, resources wasted may greater if bottle had been designed single journey..

many choices involve trade-offs of environmental impact, , there insufficient information make informed decisions.