Final answer:
The critical practices to control the amount of solid waste are to reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost, which are essential in conserving resources, saving energy, and minimizing waste generation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Critical practices to control the amount of solid waste include reduce, reuse, recycle, compost.
Reducing means to decrease waste by not creating it in the first place, thus saving natural resources and energy. Reusing allows for the life of a product to be extended, further minimizing the need to produce new products and the associated waste. Recycling involves processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reducing consumption of fresh raw materials, and reducing energy usage. Composting biodegradable waste creates a nutrient-rich soil enhancer, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and diverting organic waste from landfills.