Which action is NOT aligned with zero waste goals in construction?

• A. Designing for maximum reuse and recycling
• B. Diverting waste from landfills
• C. Maximizing disposal of waste in landfills
• D. Minimizing waste generation

Answer: (C)

Zero waste goals in construction aim to prevent waste by design and practice that keeps materials out of landfills and back into use. The action that is not aligned is maximizing disposal of waste in landfills, because it increases waste sent away rather than recovered, undermining diversion, reuse, and overall waste minimization.

Designing for maximum reuse and recycling aligns with zero waste by ensuring materials can be recovered or repurposed, reducing the need for virgin resources. Diverting waste from landfills is a direct component of zero waste, turning what would be trash into usable material streams. Minimizing waste generation tackles the problem at the source, lowering the total amount produced in the first place.