Promoting Resource Efficiency in Small & Medium size ... - UNEP

Detailed assessment: Waste minimisation
7.1 WHAT:
Waste minimisation for SMEs
7.1.1 General definition 59
Waste is defined as a non-product output with a negative or zero
market value. Waste can be solid, liquid or have a paste-like
consistency. Water and air-polluting emissions – although they are
non-product output – are not regarded as waste. If the value of the
waste fluctuates according to market conditions, accumulated net
costs/revenues during the reporting period are used to determine
the market value.
7.1.2 Definitions based on the quality of waste 60
Waste is divided into the following sub-categories according to
its quality:
• Mineral
Mineral waste is an inert mineral, which is insoluble and will
not decompose. Mineral quality waste is safe by nature. It can
be discharged without requiring special landfill technology
and/or long-term landfill management.
• Non-mineral
Waste that is categorised as non-mineral has the potential to
be chemically and/or biologically reactive; it is soluble and/or
decomposable. Discharge requires special landfill technology
and/or long-term landfill management. Non-mineral waste can
be mineralised through waste treatment technology.
7.1.3 Waste treatment technology subcategories
Waste treatment technology is divided into the following subcategories:
• Reuse, re-manufacturing, recycling
- Reuse is the additional use of a component, part or product
after it has been removed from a clearly defined service cycle.
Reuse does not include a manufacturing process, however
cleaning, repair or refurbishing may be done between uses.
- Re-manufacturing is the additional use of a component,
part or product after it has been removed from a clearly
defined service cycle into a new manufacturing process
that goes beyond cleaning, repair or refurbishing.
- Recycling is recovery and reuse of materials from scrap or
waste for the production of new goods. Energy recovery
(called ‘thermal recycling’) is not regarded as recycling but
as incineration. Pre-treatment processes that condition the
waste for recycling are regarded as part of the recycling
path. For the purpose of eco-efficiency, reporting
companies should further distinguish between open- and
closed-loop reuse, re-manufacturing and recycling.
> Open loop
The recycled, reused or re-manufactured material is
not returned to the processes of the reporting entity;
instead, it is returned to the market.
> Closed loop
The recycled, reused or remanufactured material is
returned to the processes of the reporting entity. Inprocess
recycling is the shortest possible closed loop.
59) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, United Nations, A Manual for the Preparers and Users of Eco-efficiency Indicators, 2004
60) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, United Nations, A Manual for the Preparers and Users of Eco-efficiency Indicators, 2004
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