The waste hierarchy
Big idea: The waste hierarchy prioritises prevention over treatment. The best waste is waste that is never created.
The hierarchy (most to least preferred)
- 1. Prevention/Reduce: Avoid creating waste in the first place — best option
- 2. Reuse: Use items again for same or different purpose
- 3. Recycle: Process materials into new products
- 4. Recovery: Extract energy from waste (incineration with energy recovery)
- 5. Disposal: Landfill or incineration without energy recovery — last resort
The hierarchy emphasises that preventing waste is always better than managing it. Even recycling uses energy and resources — reduction is superior.
Applying the hierarchy
- Reduce: Buy less, choose products with less packaging, avoid single-use items
- Reuse: Repair items, donate, buy second-hand, refillable containers
- Recycle: Separate recyclables, support recycled-content products
- The 3Rs (or 5Rs): Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (+ Refuse, Rot/compost)
Exam tip: IB favours evaluation of strategies, not listing. Explain WHY the hierarchy is ordered this way (environmental impact, resource use, energy) and evaluate each levels effectiveness.
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Circular economy and policy tools
Big idea: The circular economy aims to eliminate waste entirely by designing products for longevity and material recovery.
Linear vs circular economy
Linear economy (current)
- Take → Make → Dispose
- Resources extracted, used once, discarded
- Generates waste at every stage
- Depletes natural resources
Circular economy (goal)
- Reduce → Reuse → Recycle → Regenerate
- Materials kept in use as long as possible
- Waste = food for another process
- Mimics natural cycles
Policy tools for waste management
- Extended producer responsibility (EPR): Manufacturers responsible for end-of-life management
- Landfill taxes: Make disposal more expensive, incentivise alternatives
- Plastic bag bans/taxes: Reduce single-use plastic consumption
- Deposit-return schemes: Incentivise return of bottles and cans
- Pay-as-you-throw: Charge households by waste volume, incentivise reduction
- Education and awareness: Change consumer behaviour
Design for sustainability
- Design for durability: Products that last longer
- Design for repair: Easy to fix, spare parts available
- Design for disassembly: Easy to separate materials for recycling
- Design for recyclability: Use materials that can be recycled
- Eliminate toxic materials: Avoid substances that contaminate recycling streams
Exam tip: The circular economy is a systems-thinking concept. Explain how it connects to sustainability, resource management, and different EVSs (especially ecocentric views).
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IB-style question — Waste management strategies [6]
Greenhaven has launched a waste programme: kerbside recycling collections, a 'repair café' grant scheme, and a target to send zero waste to landfill by 2032. Evaluate whether this programme is likely to achieve long-term sustainability. [6]
How to answer it, step by step
- Strengths
• Kerbside collection lifts recycling rates
• Repair scheme cuts waste at source (reduce/reuse) - Weaknesses + judgement
• 2032 target ignores current landfill build-up; recycling needs end-markets
• End with a reasoned overall verdict on sustainability
Final answer
Evaluate (6) = balance strengths against weaknesses then give a clear conclusion; the final judgement mark is lost if you only list points without deciding.