Waste Management Hierarchy

The waste management hierarchy is a nationally and internationally accepted guide for prioritising waste management practices with the objective of achieving the optimal environmental outcome.  It sets out the preferred order of waste management practices from the most preferred to least preferred.

The waste management hierarchy is one of the guiding principles of the Zero Waste SA Act 2004, and is regarded in South Australia’s Waste Strategy 2005 – 2010 as a key element for guiding waste management practices in South Australia while still recognising the need for flexibility based on local and regional, economic, social and environmental conditions.