What is Pollution Prevention (P2)?
P2
is the reduction or elimination of pollution at the source, or “source
reduction”.
As defined under the
Pollution Prevention Act
of 1990, source reduction is any practice which reduces the amount of
any hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant entering a waste
stream or otherwise released into the environment prior to recycling,
treatment, or disposal. Such practices may include equipment or
technology modifications, process or procedure alterations,
reformulation or redesign of
products,
substitution of raw materials, and improvements in housekeeping,
maintenance, training, or inventory control. Reducing pollution at the
source minimizes the risk to human health and the environment. By
working efficiently and reducing the amount of pollution generated, we
protect human health,
encourage economic well being, and preserve our natural
resources.
Within the
Environmental Protection
Commission’s
(EPC) Air Division we have identified
P2 goals
and objectives for each department: Air Toxics, Citizen’s Response,
Air Compliance,
Enforcement, and Permitting. To further our P2 program success, these
goals are measured in terms of accomplishments and re-evaluated
annually.
