waste definition

The United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD): Wastes are materials that are not prime products (that is products produced for the market) for which the generator has no further use in terms of his/her own purposes of production, transformation or consumption, and of which he/she wants to dispose. Wastes may be generated during the extraction of raw materials, the processing of raw materials into intermediate and final products, the consumption of final products, and other human activities. Residuals recycled or reused at the place of generation are excluded.

I wanted to reiterate the point of the defintion of waste as it seems that people were as confused about the meaning of it as I was, so much so that the United Nations had to create a definitive description.

I wanted to highlight a key line: "materials that are not prime products (...not produced for the market) for which the generator has no further use in terms of his/her own purposes of production"

This extract highlights the point that just because waste is generated in one area of manufacture, it could not be used in another area: "One man's rubbish is another man's treasure".

Refering to the post about the councils system for collecting food waste, the waste that is collected is used for local compost used in gardening. This is a perfect example of how other people or businesses, etc can use what is considered waste by a collection of people for something useful.

Relating to my project further is the skateboard I found in a skip destined for landfill - an individual felt that he/she could gain no further enjoyment or use from the skateboard an decided to throw it away. I salvaged it and not only does it speak as a metaphor my project and my developing personal philosophy about our consumer society, but it also gives me a chance to restore it to its original function and use it or pass it on as a gift!