Waste reduction. Uppermost in the hierarchy is the strategy that waste production from
industrial manufacturing processes should be reduced. Reduction of waste at source
should be achieved by developing clean technologies and processes that require less
material in the end products and produce less waste in their manufacture. This may
involve the development of new technologies or adaptations of existing processes. Other
methods include the development and manufacture of longer lasting products and
products which are likely to result in less waste when they are used. The manufacturing
process should also avoid producing wastes which are hazardous, or reduce the
toxicity of such wastes. Waste reduction has the incentive of making significant
savings in raw materials, energy use and production and waste disposal costs.