D. WASTE
Greens support a waste-management philosophy that prioritizes, in the following order, reduction, reuse and recycling over current methods.
Given the inherent limitations of recycling, and the fact that it uses considerable energy and may cause pollution in its own right, the reduction of waste at the source and the maximum reuse of products are essential.
Put simply, we have to create far less garbage to begin with if we are to manage our waste problem.
- Manufacturers should reduce packaging and make durable products:
The first priority of any waste- management plan must be to minimize waste.
Only reduction at the source in manufacturing and packaging will solve our growing waste problems.
- Consumer products should be reusable: Our second priority in waste management is maximum possible reuse of materials.
We must adopt standardized reusable containers and mechanical parts wherever possible.
- Government policy should encourage the development and use of recycled products and should fund community recycling:
Our third waste management priority is recycling.
We support the expansion and increased efficiency of all current recycling efforts and encourage the manufacture of recyclable products.
We also encourage the composting of organic waste.
- Industry, agriculture and communities should discharge no toxic chemicals into the environment.
Until we have accomplished the transition to a sustainable society, residue of waste streams remaining after exhausting the first three waste management priorities must be permanently isolated from the environment in a manner that protects against toxic leakage and allows future recovery of additional useful materials.
The costs of such disposal must be internalized in the price of the products or services requiring it.
- Society should reduce consumption. We must reclaim the virtue of frugality, eliminating overconsumption and its attendant waste.