All of the following are examples of source reduction, except:

• A. eliminating metals from inks
• B. wastewaters and sludges as soil amendment
• C. adhesives to eliminate organic solvents
• D. replacing chemical based solvents with citrus based solvents

Answer: (B)

Reducing waste at the source means changing the process or materials so that less waste is created in the first place. The option about using wastewaters and sludges as a soil amendment is about taking waste that’s already generated and trying to reuse it after the fact. That’s beneficial reuse, not preventing waste generation in the process, so it doesn’t fit the idea of source reduction.

The other examples show concrete changes that cut waste or hazards before they’re produced: removing metals from inks lowers metal-containing waste; using adhesives that don’t require organic solvents reduces solvent use; replacing chemical solvents with citrus-based solvents cuts hazardous solvent waste. These are classic source reduction actions because they prevent or lessen waste at the source rather than dealing with it after it’s created.