Measures or techniques that reduce the amount of wastes generated during industrial production processes; this term also is applied to recycling and other efforts to reduce the volume of waste going to landfills. This term is interchangeable with waste reduction and waste minimization.
Minimization involves measures developed during the planning phase of a project to reduce proposed impacts to a resource. Minimization measures could include alignment shifts, a commitment to off season construction, replacement of land or facilities, restoration or landscaping, or payment of fair market value for impacted lands.
A comprehensive program to minimize or eliminate wastes, usually applied to wastes at their point of origin. (See: waste minimization.)