An incentive system set up by certain US counties to encourage manufacturers and industries to practice prudent waste planning involvingĀ source reduction. For example, the Maryland Department of the Environment requires counties to complete an annual checklist of their source reduction activities. Credits are given based on how much recycling tonnage goes down. The point being, to reduce the amount of waste sources to begin with to lessen overall amount of waste matter that needs to be disposed, reused or recycled.