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Key Elements of a Successful Pollution Prevention Program
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines pollution prevention as "the use of materials, processes, and practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollutants or wastes at the source." The steps involved in minimizing waste can not only reduce pollution, but result in cost savings and avoided future liability. Pollution prevention as a voluntary, fundamental practice leads to efficiency, competitiveness, and a better environment.
Management Commitment
- Understand the benefits of pollution prevention
- Make pollution prevention part of your business plan
- Develop a pollution prevention mission and policy
- Establish a pollution prevention program
- Provide the necessary resources to make the program work
Example Mission Statement and Policy
- It is the policy of (Your Company) to, whenever feasible, prevent or reduce waste and pollutants at the source. Wastes and pollutants that cannot be prevented will be recycled in an environmentally safe manner. Those that cannot be prevented or recycled will be treated or disposed of in an environmentally safe manner in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
- It is the policy of (Your Company) to provide the necessary resources to fully support pollution prevention in its operations. Each employee shall be responsible for contributing to the pollution prevention effort.
Set Goals and Involve Employees
- Set achievable goals
- Designate a program champion
- Train employees
- Use a team approach
- Encourage involvement and provide incentives
Create Problem Solving Cross-Functional Teams
- Involve representatives from every department - engineering, safety, environmental, accounting, purchasing, maintenance, management, quality, and production.
Use the Pollution Prevention Assessment Process
- Develop process flow diagrams for all operations to identify waste streams
- Estimate quantities using material balances
- Assign costs to waste streams - include the costs of materials, disposal, wastewater treatment, air pollution control, hazardous waste generation, etc.
- Identify pollution prevention alternatives
- Conduct a financial analysis
- Implement selected alternatives
- Monitor and re-evaluate to identify additional pollution prevention opportunities
Communicate Results
- Track cost savings and reductions in waste generation to demonstrate progress
- Share results of pollution prevention efforts with employees
- Share your successes with other businesses, vendors, trade associations, and your community
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