What is the simplest, cheapest, most efficient way of dealing with waste? It's easy - not making it in the first place! The European Union therefore encourages manufacturers to design products that create less waste and pollution, from the time they are made until after they are worn out, and are friendly to the environment throughout their lifecycle. This is called clean technology. We, as consumers, have a key role in encouraging clean technology, by choosing to buy 'waste free' services and products.
| What the European Union does? | What YOU can do |
| Find out what the European Union has done, and is doing now, to help cut down the amount of waste produced every year. | What can YOU do to reduce the amount of waste you produce? |
By designing goods that have the least possible impact on the environment, from the time they are produced until the time they are disposed of, manufacturers help to cut down the amount of waste and pollution they generate.
By choosing goods that have least possible impact on the environment, consumers help to reduce waste and give manufacturers an incentive to produce 'greener' products.
