Source Reduction Strategies Waste Source Reduction -- reducing the mass and volume of the product or of its packaging, thereby reducing the resulting quantity of waste matter per product unit. Material Substitution -- using alternative materials which are not environmentally harmful or materials which c an be easily recycled. Toxic Material Reduction -- reducing or eliminating the types and amounts of toxic chemicals incorporated into the product or used in its manufacturing processes. Using Recycled Materials -- using materials which have been previously used instead of virgin materials. Reduce Energy Consumption -- reducing the energy required to produce, transport, store, maintain, use, recycle, or dispose of the product and its packaging. Product Life Cycle Extension -- extending the average service life of a product, thereby reducing the frequency of product disposal. Design for disassembly and modular designs also complements the life cycle extension eff ort by making servicing and part replacement easier. Use of Modular Designs -- The use of modular designs enable parts and components to be easily separated, servic e and replaced. Modular designs build products from a combination of separate components of definable function ality. In such a design, components may be serviced, upgraded or replaced without affecting the other componen ts of the system. This will inevitably extend the service life of the entire system. Back