Page 29 - Solid Waste Analysis and Minimization a Systems Approach

DEFINITIONS 7

1 In-process recycling
2 On-site recycling
3 Off-site recycling

1.2.4 POLLUTION PREVENTION

Pollution prevention is the broadest and most difficult term to concisely define. In
essence it is the overall process of reducing waste and preventing pollution from enter-
ing the environment through the air, water, or ground. It encompasses both the aspects
of source reduction and waste reduction. The EPA has defined pollution prevention as

“Pollution prevention means source reduction, as defined under the Pollution Prevention
Act, and other practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollutants through:

■ Increased efficiency in the use of raw materials, energy, water, or other resources, or
■ Protection of natural resources under conservation”

Based on this definition, pollution prevention covers only the first two elements of
the waste management hierarchy: source reduction and in-process recycling.

1.2.5 ACRONYMS AND SYMBOLISM

It is now necessary to clarify abbreviations and symbols for materials that are related
to solid waste minimization and recycling. To begin, it is necessary to note the differ-
ences in paper. There are several types of papers according to recyclers, and the break-
down is as follows:

■ White office paper (WOP). This is one of the highest grades of paper and is also
known as white ledger. WOP is clean white sheets from laser printers and copy
machines. Colored, contaminated, or lower-grade paper is not acceptable. The wrap-
pers the paper comes in are of lower grade, and not WOP.
■ Mixed office paper (MOP). This is a catch-all for types of paper not specifically
mentioned above. Everything—magazines to packaging—is acceptable. The
paper must still be clean, dry, and free of food, most plastic, wax, and other
contamination.
■ Corrugated containers (OCC). This is a paper-based construction material con-
sisting of a fluted corrugated sheet and one or two flat linerboards. It is widely used
in the manufacture of corrugated boxes and shipping containers. The corrugated
medium and linerboard are made of paperboard, a paper-like material usually over
10 mils (0.010 in, or 0.25 mm) thick. Paperboard and corrugated fiberboard are
sometimes called cardboard by nonspecialists, although cardboard might be any
heavy paper-pulp-based board.
■ Newspapers (ONP). This is widely available and of uniform consistency, which
makes it valuable. The entire newspaper, including inserts is acceptable, except for
things like plastic, product samples, and rubber bands.