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The 3R to Toxic Waste Minimization

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 By Ian Lanza, Life Sciences Operations Coordinator

The EPA identifies reduce, reuse, and recycle as the three fundamental strategies for reducing toxic waste. Generators should think of the 3R toxic waste reduction strategy as a hierarchy. When implementing the 3R toxic waste reduction strategy, generators should begin by identifying reduce opportunities, then reuse opportunities and finally recycling options.

1. Reduce - Reducing waste generation is the most environmentally sustainable solution to toxic waste reduction. Reduce opportunities should be pursued before reuse or recycle options. Toxic waste reduction strategies may include substituting less hazardous components, more efficient process, or onsite neutralization.
2. Reuse - If you cannot reduce toxic waste generation, the next best option is to Reuse waste. Reusing is a method of closing the loop, which diverts waste from disposal for other uses. Reusing is different from recycling because reuse implies that a waste product will be used for a new process without any reconditioning or putting energy towards reclaiming valuables. Toxic waste reuse strategies include reverse chemical distribution fuel blending and waste-to-energy technology.
3. Recycling - Recycling implies that a waste will go through a process (melting, compacting, reshaping) and to reclaim a resource to be used for a different purpose. Recycling requires additional energy and costs to recover valuables and is less desirable than waste reduction or reuse, but is better than traditional disposal. Toxic waste recycling includes universal waste management of light bulbs and batteries, oil recovery, and electronic waste recycling.