Each enterprise produces waste. For many of them it can be only wastewater or used paper, while for other it can be dangerous or toxic substances that require special treatment and disposal.

In this part all the main concepts that should be known in order to use the Guidelines, as well the steps that should be followed for the waste minimisation, are presented.

First of all there are analysed some basic issues which refer to the definition of waste minimisation, to the hierarchy in the waste management and to the way to achieve the minimisation.

Moreover, the profits that come from the waste minimisation, the main economic motives and the compliance with the European and National legislation, are going to be presented.

Finally there are presented the main stages-steps that should be followed by an industry in order to achieve an effective reduction of the produced waste.