The elimination or reduction of a waste prior to its generation. This is accomplished by process changes rather than waste treatment methods.

includes reducing waste before it is even generated (see source reduction) and environmentally sound recycling. Often used in relation to hazardous waste.

An action that avoids or reduces the generation of waste by source or toxicity reduction, improves energy usage, or recycles.

Refers to eliminating, reducing, and recycling of hazardous waste.

The reduction of hazardous waste generated and subsequently treated, stored, or disposed of by means of source reduction and recycling.

Employing new techniques to reduce the amount of hazardous and radioactive wastes generated to as low a level as possible.

Measures or techniques that reduce the amount of wastes generated during industrial production processes; term is also applied to recycling and other efforts to reduce the amount of waste going into the waste stream.