Waste Segregation and Resource Management
Waste Becomes Harder to Control the Moment It Is Mixed
Segregation at the point of generation protects people, prevents incompatible materials from interacting and keeps recoverable resources out of disposal streams. Once clean recyclables, general waste and contaminated materials are mixed, later sorting may be unsafe, impractical or impossible. The work party should know the waste route before the first item is discarded.
Controls to confirm
- Identify the expected waste streams during task planning and position suitable, clearly differentiated containers close to where each waste type will arise.
- Keep hazardous, contaminated, recyclable and general wastes separate, close containers when required and never place an unidentified material into a shared bin.
- Inspect the waste point during and after the job, correct contamination promptly and transfer each stream only through the approved storage, transport and disposal route.
Today’s action
Before the first disposal today, show the work party where every expected waste stream belongs and who will verify the area at job completion.
Global Partnership on Marine Litter · UN Environment Programme
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