an order the desirability of different waste management practices, which may include but is not limited to: reduction; reuse; recycling; recovery; and residue disposal

In descending order: Source reduction Reuse Recycling Reclamation Treatment Disposal

a ranking of waste management operations according to their environmental or energy benefits. The purpose of the waste management hierarchy is to make waste management practices as environmentally sound as possible.

The classification of strategic options available for managing waste according to the economic and environmental desirability of those options.

A priority waste flow list, under the Waste Minimistation and Management Act 1995 where waste avoidance is the highest priority followed by, re-use, recycling, and reprocessing. Waste disposal is viewed as the last option for waste reduction.