T W T F S
mm
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
CHALLENGE
The Resource Conservation Challenge
The National Waste
Minimization Partnership
Program and Priority Chemicals
WHAT CAN YOU
SAVE TODAY?
T
he National Waste Minimization Partnership Program is a new,
voluntary program. It fosters partnerships between the Environmental
Protection Agen|cy (EPA) and industry that focus on reducing 30 priority
chemicals in hazardous waste.
Challenge to Industry
We are challenging industry to reduce the generation of 30 priority chemicals most
commonly found in hazardous waste by 50 percent by 2005. These are persistent
chemicals that contaminate our land, air, water, plants, and animals. By achieving
this goal, we will not onjy eliminate almost 76 million pounds of priority chemicals,
but we also will save energy and money.
To accomplish our goal iOf reducing priority chemicals, we are forming partnerships
with companies, organizations, states, and tribes. We will use waste minimization
techniques, such as substituting chemicals, changing manufacturing processes,
reusing products, and recycling activities, to eliminate priority chemicals in haz-
ardous waste. Besides ;enhancing our environment, these techniques will improve
efficiency and cut costs in manufacturing operations
and waste management.
Between 1991 and !
1998, 67 million pounds
of priority chemicals j
were eliminated from the
waste stream.
The five founding partners of the National Waste
Minimization Partnership Program are: American
Video Glass, Corning Asahi, Dow Chemical,
International Truck and Engine, and Toyota Motor
Manufacturing. These companies have pledged
to reduce specific amounts of the 30 priority
chemicals and other waste constituents. Some have already made dramatic
reductions in priority chemicals, especially lead. We plan to recruit at least 100
partners over the next three years, from both Fortune 500 companies and small
businesses. National Waste Minimization Partners receive public recognition from
EPA for their hazardous! waste reductions and environmental achievements.
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Tracking Our Progress
Hazardous waste generation has significantly declined over the last 25 years. Our
Waste Minimization Trends Report describes this decline in generation, and subse-
quent management of hazardous waste priority chemicals. The Report uses data col-
lected through the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) from 1991-1998. TRI data identifies
the chemical volumes most likely associated with hazardous waste generation.
TRI data showed a 44 percent reduction in disposal of 20 of the 30 priority chemi-
cals—from an estimated 152 million pounds in 1991 to an estimated 85 million
pounds in 1998—a decline of about 67 million pounds. Some industries showing
more dramatic reductions were inorganic chemical manufacturing, battery manufactur-
ing, and alkali and chlorine manufacturing. We are enlisting industries that produce the
highest volumes of the 30 priority chemicals, which include, metal smelters and refin-
ers, steel mills and blast furnaces, glass and glassware manufacturers, and petroleum
refiners, among others.
We believe the National Waste Minimization Partnership Program will not only achieve
great reductions in the amount of hazardous waste we generate, but also place more
emphasis on conserving our natural resources.
For More Information
More information on the National Waste Minimization Partnership Program and the
Waste Minimization Trends Report is available at www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/
conserve/index.htm. We also would like your suggestions on how we can meet the
national reduction goal. Email us at oswchallenge ©epa.gov or write to:
U.S. EPA ;
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (5305W)
Washington, DC 20460 !
Attn: RCC ;
You can also obtain information by calling the RCRA Call Center at 703 412-9810 or
TDD 703 412-3323 (hearing impaired) if you are live within the Washington
Metropolitan area. Call 800 424-9346 or TDD 800 553-7672, if you are a
long-distance caller. ;
&EPA
Solid Waste and Emergency Response (5305W)
EPA530-F-02-035
www.epa.gov/osw
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