POLLUTION PREVENTION DEFINED


Over the past several years, a new environmental protection concept has evolved that focuses on eliminating or modifying activities that result in adverse environmental impacts. This concept, known as pollution prevention, has gained support throughout the Nation, especially in Federal agencies, as a means to meet or exceed environmental goals and standards.

The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 and Executive Order 12856 define pollution prevention as "...any practice which reduces the amount of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant entering any waste stream or otherwise released into the environment (including fugitive emissions) prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal; and any practice which reduces the hazards to the public health and the environment associated with the release of such substances, pollutants, or contaminants."

Pollution prevention refers to the use of material, processes, or practices that eliminates or reduces the quantity and toxicity of wastes at the source of generation. It includes practices that eliminate the discharge of hazardous or toxic chemicals to the environment and that protects natural resources through conservation and improved efficiency. Pollution prevention also reduces the use of hazardous materials, energy, and water.

Pollution prevention is a novel approach to waste management not only because it seeks to avoid the generation of waste or environmental releases, but also because it stresses the management of all environmental media (i.e., air, land, and water) together. Within this framework, pollution prevention aims to eliminate or reduce waste released to land, air and water without simply transferring or distributing pollutants among these media.

Pollution prevention represents the first step in a hierarchy of options for managing waste. This ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HIERARCHY LIST, in descending order of preference, source reduction, recycling , treatment, and disposal as the recommended options for waste management.

Source reduction is assigned the highest priority because it eliminates or reduces wastes at the source of generation. Recycling is the next preferable approach because it involves the reuse or regeneration of materials and wastes into usable products. Treatment and disposal are considered last-resort measures.

Key benefits of pollution prevention may include reductions in reporting requirements, compliance costs, and environmental liability. Pollution prevention may also reduce expenditures for raw materials, waste disposal, transportation, handing and storage, training, management overhead, and emergency response. This approach will result in a cleaner environment, more efficient operations, and safer working environments.