Waste prevention means not creating the waste in the first place.

It's a simple concept. If you create less waste, you consume fewer resources and don't have to spend as much money to recycle or dispose of your waste. Individuals and businesses can often save a significant amount of money through waste prevention.

Waste prevention means reusing things, instead of buying new ones. It also means "reducing." For example, you can get off mailing lists to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive, or you can buy products with reduced packaging. Reducing toxics in products also is waste prevention.