<P> The waste hierarchy refers to the "3 Rs" reduce, reuse and recycle, which classify waste management strategies according to their desirability in terms of waste minimisation . The waste hierarchy remains the cornerstone of most waste minimisation strategies . The aim of the waste hierarchy is to extract the maximum practical benefits from products and to generate the minimum amount of waste; see: resource recovery . The waste hierarchy is represented as a pyramid because the basic premise is for policy to take action first and prevent the generation of waste . The next step or preferred action is to reduce the generation of waste i.e. by re-use . The next is recycling which would include composting . Following this step is material recovery and waste - to - energy . Energy can be recovered from processes i.e. landfill and combustion, at this level of the hierarchy . The final action is disposal, in landfills or through incineration without energy recovery . This last step is the final resort for waste which has not been prevented, diverted or recovered . The waste hierarchy represents the progression of a product or material through the sequential stages of the pyramid of waste management . The hierarchy represents the latter parts of the life - cycle for each product . </P> <P> The life - cycle begins with design, then proceeds through manufacture, distribution, use and then follows through the waste hierarchy's stages of reduce, reuse and recycle . Each of the above stages of the life - cycle offers opportunities for policy intervention, to rethink the need for the product, to redesign to minimize waste potential, to extend its use . The key behind the life - cycle of a product is to optimize the use of the world's limited resources by avoiding the unnecessary generation of waste . </P> <P> Resource efficiency reflects the understanding that current, global, economic growth and development cannot be sustained with the current production and consumption patterns . Globally, we are extracting more resources to produce goods than the planet can replenish . Resource efficiency is the reduction of the environmental impact from the production and consumption of these goods, from final raw material extraction to last use and disposal . This process of resource efficiency can address sustainability . </P> <P> The polluter - pays principle is a principle where the polluting party pays for the impact caused to the environment . With respect to waste management, this generally refers to the requirement for a waste generator to pay for appropriate disposal of the unrecoverable material . </P>

Where do industrial nations such as the us put most of their solid waste