Resource recovery and sustainable practices
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Waste Management and Recycling course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Resource Recovery and Sustainable Practices Glossary #
Resource Recovery and Sustainable Practices Glossary
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A
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Anaerobic Digestion (AD)
- Anaerobic digestion is a biological process that breaks down organic matter in… #
This process is commonly used to treat organic waste such as food scraps, manure, and sewage sludge, while also generating renewable energy in the form of biogas.
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Asset Recovery
- Asset recovery refers to the process of recovering valuable materials or compo… #
This can involve disassembling electronic devices to recover precious metals, refurbishing furniture for resale, or repurposing materials for new products.
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B
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Biomass
- Biomass refers to organic materials derived from plants and animals that can b… #
Examples of biomass include wood chips, agricultural residues, and biofuels. When burned or converted into biofuels, biomass can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a more sustainable energy system.
4. Bottle #
to-Bottle Recycling
- Bottle-to-bottle recycling is a recycling process that involves turning used p… #
This closed-loop system helps reduce the demand for virgin plastic resin, conserves resources, and minimizes waste generation.
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Composting
- Composting is a natural process that decomposes organic materials such as food… #
This process requires oxygen, moisture, and the right balance of carbon and nitrogen to facilitate the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms. Compost can be used as a soil amendment to improve soil health and fertility.
6. Cradle #
to-Cradle
- Cradle-to-cradle is a design concept that aims to eliminate waste by designing… #
This approach considers the entire life cycle of a product, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal, to minimize environmental impact and promote resource efficiency.
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D
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Decomposition
- Decomposition is the natural process by which organic materials are broken dow… #
This process plays a vital role in nutrient cycling and soil formation, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem for plant growth and regeneration.
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Deposit Refund System
- A deposit refund system is a recycling incentive program that encourages consu… #
This system helps increase recycling rates, reduce litter, and promote the circular economy by ensuring that containers are collected and recycled.
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E
9. Eco #
Efficiency
- Eco-efficiency is a business strategy that seeks to maximize resource producti… #
By optimizing resource use, reducing waste generation, and improving efficiency, companies can achieve sustainable growth and competitive advantage in a resource-constrained world.
10. Eco #
labeling
- Eco-labeling is a voluntary certification scheme that identifies products or s… #
Eco-labels help consumers make informed choices, reward sustainable practices, and drive market demand for environmentally friendly products.
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F
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Food Waste Diversion
- Food waste diversion refers to strategies and programs aimed at diverting edib… #
By preventing food waste from ending up in landfills, food waste diversion helps conserve resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and address food insecurity.
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Full Cost Accounting
- Full cost accounting is an accounting method that considers all costs and bene… #
By quantifying hidden costs such as pollution, resource depletion, and social inequality, full cost accounting provides a more comprehensive picture of the true cost of economic activities.
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G
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Green Procurement
- Green procurement involves the selection and purchase of products and services… #
By considering factors such as energy efficiency, recycled content, and end-of-life disposal, organizations can reduce their environmental footprint, support sustainable practices, and drive market demand for green products.
14 #
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Greenhouse gas emissions are gases released into the atmosphere that trap heat… #
Common greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which are produced by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential to mitigating climate change and preserving a stable climate for future generations.
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H
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Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
- Household hazardous waste refers to products that are toxic, flammable, corros… #
Common examples of HHW include batteries, pesticides, cleaning products, and electronic waste. Proper management and disposal of HHW are essential to prevent pollution and protect public health.
16 #
Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC)
- Hydrothermal carbonization is a thermochemical process that converts biomass i… #
This process mimics the natural formation of coal over millions of years in a matter of hours, producing a valuable resource that can be used for energy production, soil improvement, and carbon sequestration.
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I
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Incineration
- Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves burning solid waste at… #
While incineration can help divert waste from landfills and recover energy, it also produces air pollutants and ash that require proper management to minimize environmental impacts and protect public health.
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Integrated Waste Management
- Integrated waste management is a holistic approach to managing waste that emph… #
By combining multiple waste management strategies, such as source reduction, composting, and material recovery, integrated waste management aims to create a more sustainable and circular system for managing waste.
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J
19. Just #
in-Time Manufacturing
- Just-in-time manufacturing is a production strategy that aims to minimize wast… #
By reducing inventory levels, streamlining production processes, and responding to customer demand in real-time, companies can optimize resource use, reduce costs, and improve overall performance.
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Job Creation
- Job creation refers to the process of generating new employment opportunities… #
In the context of resource recovery and sustainable practices, initiatives such as recycling programs, renewable energy projects, and circular economy initiatives can create jobs in waste management, manufacturing, research, and other related fields, contributing to economic growth and social development.
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K
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Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Key performance indicators are quantifiable metrics used to evaluate the perfo… #
In the context of resource recovery and sustainable practices, KPIs can track waste diversion rates, energy efficiency improvements, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and other environmental and social indicators to measure progress, identify areas for improvement, and drive continuous innovation.
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Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS)
- Kinetic energy recovery system is a technology that captures and stores energy… #
By recovering kinetic energy that would otherwise be wasted as heat, KERS systems improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and extend the range of electric vehicles.
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L
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Landfill Mining
- Landfill mining is the process of excavating and reprocessing waste materials… #
This practice helps reduce the environmental impact of landfills, reclaim valuable materials for recycling or energy recovery, and remediate contaminated sites to protect groundwater and soil quality.
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Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Life cycle assessment is a systematic method for evaluating the environmental… #
By quantifying resource use, energy consumption, emissions, and waste generation at each stage of the life cycle, LCA helps identify opportunities to reduce environmental impact, improve efficiency, and make informed decisions to support sustainable development.
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M
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Material Recovery Facility (MRF)
- A material recovery facility is a specialized facility equipped with sorting a… #
MRFs process recyclables such as paper, plastic, metal, and glass, using a combination of manual and automated sorting techniques to maximize recovery rates and minimize contamination.
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Microplastics
- Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size that… #
These particles can come from the breakdown of larger plastic items, microbeads in personal care products, or synthetic fibers from clothing. Microplastics pose a threat to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health, highlighting the need for effective waste management and pollution prevention strategies.
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N
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Net Zero Waste
- Net zero waste is a waste management goal that aims to minimize waste generati… #
By adopting a circular economy approach and reducing reliance on landfills and incineration, organizations can achieve net zero waste status and contribute to a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.
28. Non #
governmental Organization (NGO)
- A non-governmental organization is a private, non-profit organization that ope… #
NGOs play a crucial role in advocating for policy change, raising awareness, providing services, and mobilizing communities to promote sustainable practices, protect human rights, and advance social justice.
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O
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Organic Waste
- Organic waste refers to biodegradable materials derived from plants or animals… #
Organic waste can be composted, anaerobically digested, or converted into bioenergy to recover valuable resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and divert waste from landfills. Proper management of organic waste is essential to promote resource recovery and support a circular economy.
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Overpackaging
- Overpackaging refers to the use of excessive or unnecessary packaging material… #
Common examples of overpackaging include single-use plastics, blister packs, and multi-layered packaging that contribute to plastic pollution, litter, and unnecessary resource consumption. Reducing overpackaging through sustainable design, packaging innovations, and consumer education can help minimize environmental impact and promote resource efficiency.
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P
31. Pay #
As-You-Throw (PAYT)
- Pay-as-you-throw is a waste management system that charges households or busin… #
By implementing tiered pricing, volume-based fees, or prepaid bags for trash collection, PAYT programs encourage waste diversion, discourage overconsumption, and promote resource conservation.
32 #
Product Stewardship
- Product stewardship is a concept that holds manufacturers, distributors, and r… #
By implementing take-back programs, recycling initiatives, and eco-design strategies, product stewards can minimize waste, promote resource recovery, and reduce the environmental footprint of products, contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy.
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Q
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Quality Assurance (QA)
- Quality assurance is a systematic process that ensures products, services, or… #
In the context of resource recovery and sustainable practices, QA programs help monitor the quality of recycled materials, waste management processes, and environmental performance to maintain consistency, reliability, and compliance with sustainability goals.
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Quantitative Analysis
- Quantitative analysis is a method of data analysis that uses numerical data, s… #
In the context of waste management and recycling, quantitative analysis can assess waste generation rates, recycling efficiency, material recovery rates, and other key performance indicators to support evidence-based decision-making, optimize resource use, and drive continuous improvement.
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R
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Recycling
- Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new products to pr… #
Common recyclable materials include paper, glass, metal, plastic, and electronics, which can be collected, sorted, processed, and remanufactured into new products to close the loop and promote resource recovery.
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Resource Recovery
- Resource recovery refers to the recovery and reuse of valuable resources, mate… #
By recovering resources from waste, resource recovery helps conserve natural resources, reduce waste generation, and minimize environmental impact, supporting a more sustainable and circular approach to managing resources.
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Reverse Logistics
- Reverse logistics is the process of moving products, materials, or components… #
This closed-loop system helps recover valuable resources, reduce waste, and extend the life cycle of products, contributing to resource efficiency, waste reduction, and environmental sustainability.
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S
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Sustainable Development
- Sustainable development is a holistic approach to meeting the needs of the pre… #
By balancing environmental protection, social equity, and economic prosperity, sustainable development aims to create a resilient, inclusive, and thriving society that respects planetary boundaries, promotes human well-being, and fosters long-term sustainability.
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Sustainable Packaging
- Sustainable packaging refers to packaging materials and designs that minimize… #
Examples of sustainable packaging include recyclable materials, biodegradable plastics, compostable packaging, and reusable containers that help reduce packaging waste, conserve resources, and support a circular economy.
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Textile Recycling
- Textile recycling is the process of recovering and reprocessing textile materi… #
By collecting, sorting, and processing textiles for reuse, remanufacturing, or recycling, textile recycling helps reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote circular fashion practices that minimize environmental impact and support sustainable consumption.
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Triple Bottom Line
- The triple bottom line #
- The triple bottom line