The waste management hierarchy is a conceptual model that explains how we should make waste management decisions. Waste management decisions can be made at both the organizational and individual levels. According to this model, the priority should always be to prevent waste generation. When waste generation cannot be prevented, it should be reduced; if it cannot be reduced, the reuse option should be evaluated; if reuse cannot be achieved, recycling/recovery options should be used. If this cannot be done, the waste should be sent for disposal. It should not be forgotten that every waste sent for disposal is a raw material taken from nature and stored or burned never to be used again.

When we examine today's practice, we see that waste disposal is the most preferred step. This is followed by recycling/recovery practices at a low rate. It should not be forgotten that recycling/recovery is one of the last two options and that this option also has a significant environmental burden.

In an ideal waste management, waste prevention step is the most preferred option. For this, we, as individuals, need to investigate ways to become responsible consumers.

For example, buying water in plastic bottles to meet our water needs and throwing the remaining plastic bottle into the recycling bin is actually not very environmentally friendly. Instead, we need to find ways to quench our thirst without creating any waste.