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14 ii FA ,s Source reduction is defined as any action which causes a net reduction in the generation of hazardous waste, and may also include any steps taken before a hazardous waste is generated to lessen theroperties which cause the waste to be classified as hazardous. The regulations identify�tive approaches to achieve source reduction. These approaches are presented to help the generator organize strategies toward achieving the maximum benefits from implementing source reduction at the generator's site. There may be some overlap and uncertaint regarding the approach that best describes a specific action. However, we urge the generator to place an emphasis on implementing a plan to maximize source reduction rather than on placing an activity within the most appropriate of the five approaches. The five approaches of source reduction include all of the following: 1) Administrative s eps include good operating practices that apply to the human aspect of conduting daily operations at the site. These include employee training, waste minimizat on policies, and inventory control. 2) Input changes include changes in raw materials or feedstocks to reduce, avoid, or eliminate the ha-ardous materials that enter the production process, thereby avoiding the gen ration of hazardous wastes within the production process. 3) Operational improvements include activities such as loss prevention, waste segregation, production scheduling, maintenance operations and overall site management. 4) Production process changes include process changes, changes in production methods or tech iques, equipment modifications, changes in process operating conditions, such as temperature, pressure, etc., process or plant automation, or the return of materials or their components for reuse within existing processes. 5) Product reformu ations include changes in design, composition or specification of final or intermediate products. Source reduction planning can be particularly beneficial for generators that are taking a look at source reduction for the first time. Often there are simple and inexpensive source reduction measures that can reduce significant quantities of waste. Due to the low cost of these measures, the economic benefit of implementing source reduction can be large. The generator completes the checklist, focusing on identifying the simple measures that can enable significant waste stream reduction and save hazardous waste management costs and reducing future liab lity. Since this checklist is intended to provide general source reduction guidance to various operations, many of the considerations listed in the checklist may not directly apply to each generator's specific business or process. We urge generators to think about each concept presented in the context of one's own operation to see if the idea can be applied directly, or perhaps in a ifferent way, to secure the benefit discussed at the right side of the page. Remember, the elimination of hazardous waste is good for the environment and can also save you money. 3 .