Prevention of emergence

Prevention generally refers to behaviour that does not generate waste.

Increasing production efficiency and ‘waste-free technologies’ in manufacturing enterprises would fit into this behaviour. The use of by-products from production instead of waste generation also fits into waste prevention (for example, cases and backpacks are made from textile cuttings from the manufacture of window blinds).

Conscious consumerism is a good example when it comes to households. Thinking about whether we really need that packaging when making a purchase, whether we cannot replace disposable goods with some reusable ones, whether the product is easy to repair or whether the product does not require the purchase of some other disposable products for its function which subsequently generate waste. Another option is to offer unnecessary but functional items through advertisements, second-hand shops, antiques shops, re-use centres or for charitable purposes. Preferably, have broken products repaired rather than buying new ones. Use textile shopping bags and baskets instead of paper and plastic ones. Use of reusable food boxes instead of disposable ones. Repeated refilling of your own drinking bottle, reuse of glass jars and bottles and many more.

In the case of state administration, in addition to computerisation and responsible behaviour in offices, we could also include the sale of discarded property or the use of fake designer clothes for charity instead of burning them.

Traders prevent waste in their premises by discounting goods with an approaching expiry date or by donating food to food banks and other goods to charitable organisations.