Waste reduction encompasses measures and behaviors aimed at preventing waste generation in the first place. These actions help reduce the amount of waste and thus make a significant contribution to protecting the environment, conserving resources, and combating climate change, particularly by reducing the consumption of raw materials and the need for transportation, water, and energy.

Material flows – concrete measures to reduce waste

Whether you’re an individual, a municipality, a business, or a retailer, everyone can take action to reduce waste in nearly every aspect of life: from construction and housing to clothing, food, and laundry and cleaning. More mindful consumption and sustainable production help reduce waste.

Reusable bags

All single-use bags are disposable. Paper bags offer no environmental benefits over disposable plastic bags, and biodegradable bags can interfere with the recycling process, as they are typically only used for energy recovery.

Reducing packaging waste

In Germany, 18.2 million tons of packaging were produced in 2016. As consumer habits evolve, the amount of pre-packaged food increases, packaging formats become more diverse, and online shopping grows, the volume of packaging waste is also rising.

Reducing food waste

About one-third of the food produced worldwide is thrown away. In Germany, more than 12 million tons of food are wasted each year, even though much of it is still edible. Reducing this waste not only cuts down on trash but also reduces the environmental impact associated with food production, particularly land and energy use.

Sustainable textiles

Why not keep our clothes longer and pass them on when we no longer need them? Between 2000 and 2014, global clothing production doubled. Short-lived fashion trends encourage the mass production of textiles that quickly end up as waste. Product quality is also declining, reducing their potential for reuse or recycling.

Environmentally friendly washing and cleaning

Detergents and cleaning products may contain substances, such as surfactants, that are toxic to aquatic organisms. Some ingredients are difficult to break down and accumulate in waterways and sediments. The phosphorus and salts in these products alter the nutrient levels in the water and, consequently, the habitats of plants and animals.

Reduced use of building materials and sustainable construction

The construction industry is one of the most resource-intensive sectors. Construction and demolition generate large amounts of waste. A particular challenge is that buildings sometimes contain banned substances that only become waste decades later. Sustainable construction protects the environment and improves residents’ quality of life and comfort.

In an ecological or bioclimatic assessment, the entire life cycle of a product is taken into account:

  • Use of renewable raw materials
  • Minimal transportation
  • Low energy consumption during production
  • Use of renewable energy
  • Long service life and repairability
  • Recyclability

The use of less sustainable materials may be justified if no alternative is available for the intended use.

Another approach involves reusing building materials and planning projects to maximize resource efficiency.

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Reduction of harmful substances

Many everyday items are treated with chemicals to give them certain properties. For example, many functional garments are treated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to make them water-repellent and stain-resistant.
However, these substances can have negative effects on the environment and human health.

PFAS are extremely persistent and mobile in the environment. Once present, they are difficult to remove. Furthermore, a growing number of studies show that certain PFAS can have harmful effects on health. This poses a problem not only while the products are in use but also once they become waste.

The goal of waste prevention is not only to reduce the amount of waste but also to minimize its harmful impacts. With regard to hazardous substances contained in products, it is therefore necessary to reduce and, if possible, eliminate these substances from the recycling process; otherwise, they will accumulate.

Of course, the best approach is to avoid using these hazardous substances in the first place. Restrictions or bans are necessary where voluntary substitution is not sufficient. Some manufacturers of functional textiles have already stopped using PFAS, but this is not yet the case for all of them, and these substances are used in many other sectors. The European Union is currently drafting comprehensive regulations for PFAS.

Waste prevention concepts

There is no single solution for effectively reducing waste. It requires a combination of:

  • measures targeting specific products or sectors
  • broad concepts that are generally applicable

Promoting sustainable consumption

Did you know that, on average, a car sits unused for 23 hours a day? The “use rather than own” approach is therefore a worthwhile option. Sharing platforms allow people in the same area to share products. This reduces purchase costs and helps cut down on the amount of products that end up as waste.

E-commerce waste

E-commerce is booming, which is increasing the number of packages being shipped. This consumes energy, generates emissions, and produces waste, as packaging is rarely reused and oversized boxes are often filled with extra material. Returns pose a particular problem: some of the returned products are thrown away immediately.

Product design aimed at reducing waste

Products are often replaced before the end of their actual useful life. This premature replacement is called “obsolescence”:

  • Economic obsolescence: A defective device is not repaired because the repair cost is nearly as high as the cost of a new device.
  • Psychological obsolescence: consumers want a new product even though the old one still works.

The “Blue Angel” label, organic certification, Fairtrade International, TÜV—which label ensures you’re making a good choice, and which ones are best left on the shelf? Labels provide reliable information about the environmental quality of specific products and are therefore a valuable tool when it comes to reducing waste. Well-established and credible product labels offer useful guidance in this regard.