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» What is Pollution Prevention? |
For further information about the Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange, contact Beth Anderson at 202-564-8833 or e-mail .
The Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx™) is a national partnership of regional pollution prevention information centers funded in part through grants from EPA. We build networks, deliver P2 information, and measure P2 program results. The strength of the network lies in the expertise and diversity among the regional centers and the variety of audiences served, including government and state environmental agencies, technical assistance providers, businesses, educators, nonprofit organizations, and the general public.
The Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx™) is a national network of regional centers that advance pollution prevention as a cornerstone of sustainability.
To achieve our mission, we connect, we inform, and we measure.
The Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange was created in 1997 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The goal was to lay the groundwork for a seamless national network of easy to access, high quality pollution prevention information that promotes waste reduction throughout the United States.
Pollution prevention means "source reduction," as defined under the Pollution Prevention Act, and other practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollutants through:
The Pollution Prevention Act defines "source reduction" to mean any practice which reduces the amount of any 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 reduces the hazards to public health and the environment associated with the release of such substances, pollutants, or contaminants.
The term includes: equipment or technology modifications, process or procedure modifications, reformulation or redesign of products, substitution of raw materials, and improvements in housekeeping, maintenance, training, or inventory control.
Under the Pollution Prevention Act, recycling, energy recovery, treatment, and disposal are not included within the definition of pollution prevention. Some practices commonly described as "in-process recycling" may qualify as pollution prevention. Recycling that is conducted in an environmentally sound manner shares many of the advantages of prevention - it can reduce the need for treatment or disposal, and conserve energy and resources.
In the agricultural sector, pollution prevention approaches include:
In the energy sector, pollution prevention can reduce environmental damages from extraction, processing, transport, and combustion of fuels. Pollution prevention approaches include:
Terms synonymous with pollution prevention include: best management practices - cleaner production - design for the environment - eco-efficiency - energy conservation - energy efficiency - green business - green productivity - increased efficiency - industrial ecology - materials efficiency - materials productivity - process efficiency - process improvement - process optimization - reusability - resource efficiency - source reduction - sustainable production - toxics use reduction - waste reduction - water conservation.
The information from P2Rx is provided solely as a preliminary source of information regarding pollution prevention options and technologies. It is not a comprehensive document covering every option available to your operation or every environmental regulation that could affect you or your business as a consequence of adopting a pollution prevention strategy. Other alternatives for resolution of your particular problem or situation may exist that are not listed on this site.
All options must be considered in light of the circumstances of your particular situation. It is your responsibility to seek specific advice for your particular application. Please conduct thorough research and/or consult the technical assistance providers in your area that might have additional information relevant to evaluating your options.