Waste Minimization & Productivity Improvement

Waste Minimisation can be defined as "A new and creative way of thinking about products and the processes which make them. It is achieved by the continuous application of strategies to minimise the generation of wastes and emissions".
For processes, waste minimisation involves conserving raw materials and energy, eliminating the use of toxic substances as much as possible, reducing quantity and toxicity of emissions and wastes before they leave the process etc.
For products, it means reducing their environmental impact during its entire life cycle from raw material extraction till ultimate disposal.
Waste Minimisation accordingly means economic savings from reduced consumption of raw materials and energy, it means lower pollutant treatment costs, it means better working conditions, it also reflects other benefits such as a better company image. Implementing Waste Minimisation may not (in fact, will not) solve all environmental problems at a facility, but it does decrease the need for installing and operating end-of-pipe treatment equipment and reduces the quantity of hazardous wastes that needs to be treated and disposed off.