The PRIORITIES and KEY ACTIVITIES
of the
OFFICE of POLLUTION PREVENTION and TOXICS' (OPPT's)
0
F
F
H
0
PREVENTION
DIVISION
A Briefing Paper for
the Assistant Administrator for
Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances (OPPTS)
rfarch 11, 1994
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Office <>t Pollution Pre\ennon and Toxics
A NEW PARADIGM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
EARTH DAY 1993
Today, Earth Day 1993, is the start of a new direction
for environmental protection in the United States....
EPA is...fundamentally shifting U.S. environmental
protection strategy toward pollution prevention. Twenty years
of end-of-pipe regulation have taught us an important lesson --
that the best way to clean up the environment is to prevent
environmental deterioration in the first place. -
Tasking this lesson to heart, this Administration is
committed to making pollution prevention the guiding principle
in all our environmental efforts.
Carol Browner
EPA Administrator
POLLUTION PREVENTION POLICY STATEMENT
We must build pollution prevention into the very
framework of our mission to protection human health and the -
environment.
[This] new focus on pollution prevention will require a
significant change in the way EPA carries out its responsibilities
and allocates resources.... [We must] guide programs and
regions toward our goal of integrating prevention into the
Agency's "corporate culture."
Carol Browner
EPA Administrator /
June 15, 1993
Pollution Prevention Division
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' Table at Car r>
The PRIORITIES and KEY ACTIVITIES of
OPPT's POLLUTION PREVENTION DIVISION
CONTENTS
I. Purpose and Scope of the Briefing 4
II. PPD's Mission and OPPT's Guiding Principles 5
III. PPD's People and Organization 6
IV. PPD's Priorities 8
V. PPD's Primary Goals for 1994 12
VI. Ideas for the Assistant Administrator's P2 Involvement 13
Attachment 1:
Attachment 2:
Attachment 3:
Current PPD Priorities and Investments, as they relate to the
Administrator's seven prevention themes
Individual Profiles of PPD's Key Activities
PPD Division Roster
Pollunon Prevention Dnmon
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Pit/pnse & Scope
I. PURPOSE and SCOPE of this PAPER
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the pollution prevention (P2)
priorities and activities of the Pollution Prevention Division (PPD) in the Office of
Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT).
In terms of scope, the briefing will not address many of the growing number of
prevention activities in the larger Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
(OPPT), which include:
Design for the Environment (DfE) industrial process, chemical
design and other efforts, managed by OPPT's Economics, Exposure
and Technology Division (EETD).
The Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) and the 33/50 Program, managed
by OPPT's Environmental Assistance Division (EAD).
The pollution prevention activities in the new chemicals program or
the P2 activities of the existing chemicals program, led mostly by
OPPT's Chemical Control Division (CCD) and supported by nearly all
OPPT divisions.
/
o The Source Reduction Review Project (SRRP) and other P2
chemical program activities will be covered.
The Presidential P2 Executive Orders, which require federal facilities
to report their toxic chemical releases and the federal government to
take leadership on recyclying, managed jointly by OPPT's EAD, EETD
and Information Management Division (IMD) with PPD involvement.
o The Environmentally Preferable Products Executive Order is
included.
It will include some joint prevention projects with EAD, notably in the areas
of P2 ideas and information outreach and environmental law.
Pollution Prevention Division ,
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PPD Vision A OPPT <* Gtnilntj
H. PPD's MISSION statement
TO PROMOTE POLLUTION PREVENTION
as the guiding principle for
all our environmental efforts and
TO ENDORSE AND APPLY PREVENTION-ORIENTED
SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
OPPT's GUIDING PRINCIPLES
1. Advocate pollution prevention
2. Promote safer chemicals and processes
3. Promote comprehensive stewardship of high-priority chemicals
4. Empower the public through environmental information
Pollution Prevention Division
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People & Oroam:anon
HI. PPD's PEOPLE and ORGANIZATION
A. STAFF and BUDGET
PPD has about a 30-person staff, including 25 full-time federal .employees and
four managers. It is organized under two branches.
It manages between $1.1 and $1.4 million annually for general contracts,
cooperative agreements and other program support.
It also administers, with the Regions, about $6-8 million annually for
prevention grants to states under the Pollution Prevention Incentives for
States (PPIS) program.
B. HISTORY
1988-91: The pollution prevention program was created and managed in OPPE
(EPA's Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation)
1992: The pollution prevention program joined with the Office of Toxic
Substances (OTS) to form the new OPPT, which has become the
Agency's principal program manager for P2.
At congressional direction, a P2 Policy Staff (about 5 staff
members) was established in the Office of Administrator to
"guide, direct and mediate" P2 across the Agency.
This mission was accomplished in part by staffing the P2
Policy Council, composed of EPA Assistant
Administrators to coordinate cross-cutting issues.
OPPT and the P2 Policy Staff coordinate on prevention issues.
Pollution Prevention Division
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C.1 RECENT OPERATING TRENDS
New emphasis on working cooperatively with media programs to help
them integrate P2 into core Agency policies and programs
o Examples: Source Reduction Review Project (SRRP) rulemakings,
existing chemicals activities in OPPT and the new Pollution Prevention
Integration (P2IN)'initiative
Greater focus on key activities which fill Agency program "gaps" and
build on division/office strengths
o Examples: Design for the Environment (DfE) work with the financial
community and our efforts to unite P2 and sustainable agriculture
Increased empowerment of our Regions and the States
o Examples: Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (PPIC) and
the Pollution Prevention Incentives for States (PPIS) grants
More effort to advance and coordinate key cross- or multi-media issues
across the Agency
o Examples: P2IN, environmental labeling, life cycle analysis and
voluntary environmental standards
Pollunon Prevention Division
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Pnnnne\ S.
IV. PPD's PRIORITIES and OTHER MAJOR INVESTMENTS
\.
A. SOURCES of PPD PRIORITIES and OTHER INVESTMENTS
* mandates of the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) of 1990
f EPA management
the Administrator's 1993 Earth Day Address
the seven themes in the June 15th Pollution Prevention Policy Statement
other federal and EPA prevention policies, statements and programs .
OPPTS and OPPT leadership
* prevention needs assessment according to some of the criteria below --
will these activities leverage and sustain prevention in mainstream
Headquarters and Regional programs?
will these activities meet a critical prevention need of our "customers"
that might otherwise go unattended?
are we (PPD staff), given our perspective and approach, capable and
qualified to advance these activities?
can we harness our associated OPPT chemical/toxics knowledge and.
information to help identify preventive approaches and technologies for
others?
Pollution Prevention Division
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Ji //nc \,v,f;r
B CURRENT PPD PRIORITIES and OTHER MAJOR INVESTMENTS
o o o TOD Priorities
P2 Enhancement in the Media Programs
State and Community Empowerment, particularly through grants and
technical assistance/transfer
Design for the Environment (DfE) and the Financial Community
***
Other Investments
Federal Partnerships
P2 Education, Communication and Outreach
P2 Tools
P2 Approaches in Environmental Law
Pollunon Pievennon Division
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l\\nh Ptojecr Activities)
C. KEY PREVENTION PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
associated with CURRENT PPD PRIORITIES'
o o Top Priorities
P2 Enhancement in the Media Programs
1. The Source Reduction Review Project (SRRP)
2. Industry Sectors Teams initiative '
3. P2 in the OPPT Chemical Programs
4. Pollution Prevention Integration (P2IN) initiative
5. P2 in EPA's Media Program Guidance and Grants
6. Regional P2 Coordination
State and Community Empowerment, particularly through grants and
technical assistance/transfer
7. National Network of State P2 Programs
8. Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (PPIC)
9. The Pollution Prevention Incentives for States (PPIS) Grants
i
10. P2 in Public Health
Design for the Environment (DfE) and the Financial Community
' 11. Accounting and Capital Budgeting for Prevention
12. Availability of P2 Credit and Financing
13. P2 in Corporate Risk Management and Insurance Professions
1 Project numbering is for activity identification purposes only. It does not indicate any
priority, apart from the activity's listing under either "PPD top priorities" or the "other
investments" categories.
Pollution Prevennon Division
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Pnonne't & h\\t!\nnc'n!\ (\\ith
Other Investments
Federal Partnerships
14. P2 in Sustainable Agriculture, including the Agriculture in
Concert with the Environment (ACE) Grants [joint with USDA]
15. P2 in Energy Efficiency, including the National Industrial
Competitiveness through Efficiency: Energy, Environment and
Economics (NICE3) grants [joint with DOE]
16. P2 in the Federal Acquisition/Procurement Process
P2 Education, Communication and Outreach
17. The National Pollution Prevention Center (NPPC) for Higher
Education
18. P2 Training and Learning
19. The American Institute for Pollution Prevention (AIPP)
20. The Pollution Prevention News [with EAD]
21. The Woods Hole P2 Conference
22. P2 Quarterly Activity Report
P2 Tools
23. Environmental Labeling
24. P2 and Voluntary Environmental Standard Activities
25. Measuring Prevention
26. Life-Cycle Assessment
27. Pollution Prevention Contracts
P2 Approaches in Environmental Law
28. Legislative Tracking and Analyses [with EAD]
Pollution Prevention Division
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PPD Goal*
V. PPD's MAJOR GOALS for 1994
Prevention approaches and information from the OPPT programs are integrated
into the Agency's new Green Sectors initiative, the Source Reduction Review
Project (SRRP) and perhaps other key Agency regulatory activities.
The new Pollution Prevention Integration (P2In) network is operational and,
through a couple pilot programs, is beginning to serve the broader P2 needs of EPA.
A state-developed plan for state management of the Pollution Prevention
Information Clearinghouse (PPIC) is under way to create a new national network
of P2 technical information.
The Agency is sponsoring active and effective programs in all three major Design
for the Environment (DfE) efforts with the financial community -- full cost
accounting and capital budgeting, risk management/insurance and availability of
credit.
In addition...
EPA, as a result of our analysis, has developed and is implementing strategies to
address leading consumer issues, including environmentally preferrable products,
voluntary environmental standards and eco-labeling issues:
PPD is helping OPPTS.provide Agency-wide leadership on pesticide use reduction
and sustainable agriculture, and perhaps other joint initiatives with the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Pollunon Prevention Division
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H N P2
VI. IDEAS for the ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR'S
P2 INVOLVEMENT
4 Counsel OPPT on its various prevention policies and activities
Help us establish general program direction and priorities .
> Intervene when prevention is at stake in key Agency activities and decisions
Budgeting, planning and other resource actions
Important policy and program decisions
Legislative development
Major rulemakings
Assume the leadership role for prevention among the Agency's senior managers
Sit at the Administrator's right hand on prevention matters
Represent prevention at key Agency, industry and other meetings and
conferences
Provide your leadership and support to particular prevention activities which
compliment your interests and credentials
State P2 activities
XP2 in Public Health
Pollution Prevention Divnum
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Office i>r Pollution P'e\enrn>n & To\ics
Pollution Prevention Division
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Office of
unJ Ti
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PPD Pnonnes ielan\e to the Administrator's Se\en Pteienrion
ATTACHMENT 1:
CURRENT PPD PRIORITIES and INVESTMENTS,
as they relate to the
ADMINISTRATOR'S SEVEN PREVENTION THEMES
1) Incorporate prevention as the principle of first choice into the mainstream work of the
Agency and the Federal government.
P2 Enhancement in EPA's Programs
2) Help build and facilitate a national network of prevention programs.
State and Community Empowerment
3) Establish new federal .partnerships to promote prevention within the national
government.
Federal Partnerships
4) Identify and pioneer new environmental programs which emphasize cross-media
prevention, reinforce mutual goals of economic and environmental well-being, and
represent new models for government/industry interaction.
Design for the Environment (DfE) and the Financial Community
5) Generate and share information to promote prevention, track progress through
measurement systems, and recognize success. ,
P2 Education, Communication and Outreach
P2 Tools
6) Develop partnerships in technological innovation with the private sector to increase
industrial competitiveness and enhance environmental stewardship.
7) Seek changes, where justified, in federal environmental law to encourage source
reduction.
P2 Approaches in Environmental Law
Pollution Prevention Division
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'^ Ke\ Acrmritu - Pmtilt?
ATTACHMENT 2:
INDIVIDUAL PROFILES of PPD's KEY ACTIVITIES
/'
This attachment profiles 27 of PPD's key program activities by providing:
basic background information
the activity's primary objective(s-)
status of activity, including major products, and
the contact for the activity
PPD's KEY PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
/
P2 Enhancement in Media Programs
1. The Source Reduction Review Project (SRRP), 20
2. Industry Sectors Teams initiative, 22
3. P2 in the OPPT Chemical Programs, 24
4. Pollution Prevention Integration (P2IN) initiative, 26
5. P2 in EPA's Media Program Guidance and Grants, 28
6. Regional P2 Coordination,, 29
Pollution Prevention Division
/
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PPD > Ke\ -k-nv/rifv - P'onle Rnjemnce
State and Community Empowerment
7. National Network of State P2 Programs, 31
Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (PPIC), 33
Pollution Prevention Incentives for States (PPIS) Grants, 35
10. P2 in Public Health, 37
* DfE & the Financial Community
11. Accounting and Capital Budgeting for Prevention, 38
12. Availability of P2 Credit and Financing, 40
13. P2 in Corporate Risk Management and Insurance Professions, 42
i t
\
* Federal Partnerships
14. P2 in Sustainable Agriculture, 43
15. P2 in Energy Efficiency, 45
16. P2 in the Federal Acquisition/Procurement Process, 47
P2 Education, Communication and Information Outreach
17. The National Pollution Prevention Center (NPPC) for Higher Education, 49
18. P2 Training,and Learning, 51
19. The American Institute for Pollution Prevention (AIPP), 53
The Pollution Prevention News [with EAD], 54
21. The Woods Hole P2 Conference, 55
22. P2 Quarterly Activity Report, 56
Pollution Prevention Division
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\ Ke\
* P2 Tools
23. Environmental Labeling, i57
24. P2 and Voluntary Environmental Standard Activities, 60
25. .Measuring Prevention, 62
26. Life-Cycle Assessment, 63
27. Pollution Prevention Contracts, 64
P2 Approaches in Environmental Law
28. Legislative Tracking and Analyses [with EAD], 65
Pollution Prevention Division
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P2 Enhancement in Media
1. SOURCE REDUCTION REVIEW PROJECT (SRRP)
BACKGROUND
Section 4(b) of the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) of 1990 requires EPA to "review
regulations of the Agency prior and subsequent to their proposal to determine their
effect on source reduction." ,
EPA, in 1991, designated 17 industrial categories, involving 23 upcoming air
standards, water effluent guidelines and RCRA hazardous waste listings, for special
prevention consideration in the Source Reduction Review Project (SRRP).
These '17 industrial categories are:
\
acrylic and modacrylic fibers
degreasmg operations
, integrated iron and steel manufacturing
metal products and machinery
paint stripper users
paints, coatings and adhesives manufacturing
paper and other web coatings
pesticide formulating
pharmaceutical production
plywood and particle board manufacturing
polystyrene production
printing and publishing
pulp and paper production
reinforced plastic composite production
rubber chemicals manufacturing
styrene butadiene latex and rubber production
wood furniture manufacturing
OBJECTIVES
To ensure that source reduction measures and multi-media impacts are considered
during the development of these targeted rules.
To develop approaches to better incorporate prevention methods in other Agency
rulemakings.
Pollunon Prevention Division
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P2
STATUS
OPPT staff assigned to each of the SRRP rulemakings and now working to assist the
work group in identifying and evaluating source reduction options.
OPPT has had some success in advancing P2 through the SRRP rules
which are moving through the Agency's decision process
NESHAP for halogenated solvent degreasing
effluent guideline and MACT standard for pulp and paper production
effluent guideline for pesticide formulating and packaging
OPPT and others (rule-writers, their managers, and others involved in regulatory
development) have conducted a number of assessment activities to identify successful
approaches to foster source reduction through rule-making and obstacles to source
reduction approaches.
OPPT is working with air, water and solid waste media programs to apply lessons
learned in SRRP to-new industry sectors initiative.
A white paper on SRRP opportunities, barriers and options for overcoming
these,barriers is being prepared for the Administrator, as a result of the
assessment activities.
CONTACT
Joceiyn Woodman
260-4418
Pollution Pievennon Division
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P2 Enliiincumenr in Media
2. INDUSTRY SECTORS TEAMS INITIATIVE
BACKGROUND
In November 1993, the Administrator announced the new Industry Sectors Teams
Initiative to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to promote "cleaner, cheaper"
environmental protection.
The initiative would create cross-media Agency teams to better address, through both
regulatory and voluntary activities, key industry sectors.
An Agency workgroup was created to flesh out this issue.
OBJECTIVES
For selected industrial sectors, to integrate EPA activities across programs to improve
internal efficiency, and identify and implement environmental management solutions
that produce greater environmental benefits at lower cost. This will be achieved
through partnerships with industry, environmental groups, and states.
Anticipated result: "cleaner, cheaper" environmental protection
Key elements include:
Retrospective review of existing rules
Coordination of regulatory development across media (e.g., data-sharing, joint
analyses, integrated rule-making, etc.)
Simplified recordkeeping and reporting requirements
Compliance and enforcement initiatives
Permit streamlining
Promotion of pollution prevention, innovative technology, and voluntary
environmentally-sound practices beyond what is required
Pollution Prevention Division
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P2 Enhtn,i.en en; in
STATUS
OPPT is a member of the cross-Agency Industry Sectors^workgroup, which is leading
this effort.
Early outreach with major stakeholder groups to refine project design and solicit input
on industry sectors now being conducted.
The Agency will select 4-6 industry sectors by Spring 1994 in consultation with
outside groups, including the President's Council on Sustainable Development.
Anticipate that at least one sector will have a small business focus.
A cross-Agency team for each sector, sponsored by a lead program office, will be
formed. OPPTS will sponsor an industry sector team yet to be determined.
EPA will work with its industry, environmental, and state partners to identify
mutually supportive activities in each of the key element areas for inclusion in the
work plan for each sector team. , >
CONTACT
John Robison
260-3590
Pollution Ptevennon Division
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P2 Enhancement in Media Pi obtains
3. P2 in the OPPT CHEMICAL PROGRAM
BACKGROUND
Chemicals, often the cause of pollution problems, can be a major part of'the
prevention solution.
Over time, OPPT has developed considerable chemical/toxic information and
expertise in implementing provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of
- 1976. ' -
However, TSCA is not always a very effective regulatory mechanism, especially its
risk management standard.
In 1992, OPPT was granted stewardship for EPA's prevention program, which
facilitated its ability to harness chemical information for prevention purposes.
OBJECTIVES
To encourage prevention in all aspects of OPPT's chemical programs.
To provide information on hazard, exposure, risk, substitute chemicals and source
reduction options to other EPA media and operating programs to advance preventive
approaches.
STATUS
PPD is working to acquaint all OPPT managers and staff with pollution prevention
concepts and approaches, through training and partnerships on joint P2 projects.
Each OPPT division is working to identify and implement pollution prevention
in its daily projects and activities.
Pollution Prevention Division
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P2 EnlimiLfiiit'iir in \lei;id Piiiji,i,
Successes so far ...
New Chemical program approaches
Chemical information and expertise being applied to both OPPT and Agency-
wide regulatory development, including explicit P2 consideration in the
existing chemical RM (risk management) 1 and 2 processes
New P2 data reported through the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)
DfE industrial process and financial community projects
"P2 Strategy for Existing Chemicals," a concept, now under consideration, to
structure the toxics program more along prevention lines
OPPT has been working to integrate the Source Reduction Review Project (SRRP)
and the traditional existing chemicals program.
OPPT leads a cross-media Agency work group and is beginning a cross-media
study on tradeoffs between leading solvents and their substitutes.
New chemical information products will benefit and inform prevention decisions
across the Agency.
OPPT will work with other media programs to identify other appropriate opportunities
for collaboration.
CONTACT
Stephanie Roan
260-4164
Pollution Pievennon Division
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P2 Enhancement in Media Pwqrams
4. POLLUTION PREVENTION INTEGRATION (P2LN) INITIATIVE
BACKGROUND
Incentives are not traditionally strong for EPA operating programs to adopt P2 as a
central operating ethic.
Recent events, such as the President's and EPA's Earth Day statements and the
Administrator's P2 policy statement, have set the stage for EPA to move forward in,
integrating pollution prevention.
OPPT has identified the need to facilitate better cross-Agency communication,
cooperation and coordination to advance cross-media P2.
OPPT has joined with OPPE to advance the Administrator's recent interest in
. cross-Agency industry sector teams, as she announced in her speech to the
U.S. Chamber of Commerce on November 19th.
OBJECTIVES .
To act as a catalyst and provide a forum to identify and address the key cross-media
and culture change P2 issues in the Agency.
To identify cross-program P2 issues, enhance inter-office communication, and
coordinate project opportunities and share P2 information across Agency
boundaries.
STATUS
OPPT is now establishing a network of key personnel and P2 advocates to promote
P2 information dissemination, facilitate and coordinate communication among
s participants in P2 initiatives, and provide up-to-date P2 project status and description.
P2IN will begin on a pilot basis, as OPPT is examining initiatives in
enforcement, based upon discussions with senior managers in the new Office
of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA), in pesticides, considering
possible reorganization, and in permitting, given Agency and Capitol Hill
interest.
Pollunon Prevention Division
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P2
The network would ultimately serve to:
Pursue key cross-cutting issues: facilitating cross-program communications and
joint P2 initiatives in areas such as permitting, compliance, legislative input
and others, led by responsible Agency offices.
Facilitate program culture change: satisfying other EPA office requests for
assistance in making P2 the central operating ethic of their offices through
OPPT staff contacts with expertise in the workings of these offices.
CONTACTS
Julie Lynch
260-4000
John Shoaff
260-1831
Pollution Prevention Division
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P2 Enliancernenr in \1etlia Ptogt
5. P2 in EPA'S MEDIA PROGRAM GUIDANCE and GRANTS
BACKGROUND
EPA provides about $50 million in media grants annually to states, mostly for
traditional inspection and compliance activities.
All EPA media program grant guidance has provisions which allow funding
for prevention, as well as traditional inspection and enforcement, activities.
EPA also issues grant and other guidance to states on Agency priorities, including
counsel on how Agency funds should be spent.
OBJECTIVES ,
To promote pollution prevention in federally-funded state programs
To share information on successful programs and to identify statutory or other
barriers to pollution prevention
To build self-sustaining state pollution prevention programs
STATUS
PPD, in conjunction with the Pollution Prevention (P2) Policy Staff, co-chairs an
EPA multi-media grants work group, tasked with developing policies that would
encourage the integration of P2 activities into media state grants.
' PPD and the P2 Policy Staff have requested Regional input regarding FY 1994
federal grant activities that are incorporating pollution prevention activities.
P2 Policy Staff (PPPS) has let a small contract to survey state programs for
input on media grant activities that incorporate P2 objectives.
\
The Administrator has asked for an internal examination of how effective the
new guidance has been in its first year of implemetation.
CONTACTS -LenaHann Tom McCully
260-2237 260-8617
Pollution Prevention Division >.
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P2 Enhtin<.e»:?nr in
6. REGIONAL P2 COORDINATION
BACKGROUND
Each EPA Region has two,full-time positions officially allocated for prevention.
- i
P2 "program management functions in the Region have recently increased.
Most Regions have initiated substantial P2 efforts, although most have also
recently emphasized building P2 into' Regional operating programs rather than
managing special P2 projects.
Management of the PPIS grants program was recently shifted to the Regions.
Each Region has $580,000 or $680,000 (Regions IV and V have $680,000) to
administer to their states in 1994.
Each Region has an additional $155,000 in general P2 extramural project
funds (known as "two percent" P2 funds, as they once represented about two
'percent of the Region's budget) for contracts and other expenses.
OBJECTIVES
To empower and assist the Regions in making P2 the guiding principle in their work
To develop clearer Headquarters expectations and better working relationships with
Regions.
STATUS
OPPTS has included P2 reviews as part of its Regional review process.
Regional projects funded in FY 1993 included:
training and education
technical assistance (eg. toxics audit of POTWs publicly-owned treatment
works)
incorporation of prevention approaches into media programs
Pollution Prevention Division
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P2 Enhancement in Wed/a PHI yams
Guidance for state grants and Regional project funds for FY 1994 is now being
developed.
The Regions vary considerably in their degree of progress in institutionalizing
prevention.
CONTACT
Lena Hann
260-2237
Pollution Prevention Division
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Stare JL C(>niinitnir\
7. NATIONAL NETWORK of STATE
POLLUTION PREVENTION PROGRAMS
BACKGROUND
States, increasingly the "face of government" on environmental matters, have been
leaders in prevention,program development.
The National Roundtable of State Pollution Prevention Programs, the nation's largest
state organization dedicated to prevention, has partnered with EPA since the early
1980s to advance prevention as the guiding principle in state program activities.
' The Roundtable has 500 members located in 80 state and local program offices
nationwide
Roundtable members provide P2 information, including training and technical -
assistance, to thousands of industrial and commercial facilities each year
OBJECTIVE
To provide a forum in which to develop, implement, and evaluate pollution
prevention efforts with industry ,
STATUS
OPPT maintains a cooperative agreement with the Roundtable which enables a wide
variety of prevention activities.
A recent EPA/Roundtable study indicates significant progress in advancing
prevention through state regulatory programs, in addition to traditional
technical assistance activities.
i
Another upcoming EPA/Roundtable study will document EPA's success in
building prevention approaches into state media programs financed by the
Agency's media grants.
, EPA and the Roundtable share interest in facility planning, a process by which
industrial or other facilities develop and maintain plans to consider and, sometimes,
implement source reduction activities in their plants and buildings.
Pollution Pievennon Division
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Sttite & Cflininun/n
* Several states have adopted P2 legislation which requires either voluntary or
v mandatory facility planning requirements.
The Waste Reduction Institute for Training Applications Research (WRITAR),
^ a Roundtable member, is consolidating information on the various state facility
planning requirements and assembling a comparative study of the various state
programs.
An important link has been made between the Roundtable and the Forum on
State and Tribal Toxic Action (FOSTTA), an OPPTS/OECA organization of
senior State officials sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislators
(NCSL).
CONTACT
Lena Hann
260-2237
Pollution Prevention Division
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Srare A. Cinniimnm Eii:/>a\\eiint'ii,
8. POLLUTION PREVENTION INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE
(PPIC)
BACKGROUND ~
EPA created the Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (PPIC) in. response
to the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990.
PPIC is jointly funded and operated by the Office of Research and Development
(ORD) and OPPT. ORD is responsible for developing and maintaining the Pollution
Prevention Information Exchange System (PIES), OPPT is responsible for staffing a
telephone and dissemination service, outreach, and maintaining a special collection in
the EPA Headquarters library. v t
OPPT established an advisory committee for PPIC in 1992 and funded a cooperative
agreement with the National Roundtable of State Pollution Prevention Programs to
investigate how to improve dissemination of P2 information.
EPA initiated discussions with the National Roundtable of State P2 Programs and
established an advisory committee in 1992 for the PPIC to address the issue of
customer needs. The Roundtable consists of nearly 500 members that serve thousands
'of industrial and commercial client each year.
Jn the fall of 1993, EPA funded a cooperative agreement so that the Roundtable can
create its own plan of how best to serve the needs of state technical assistance
providers.
OBJECTIVES
To establish a central reference line that disseminates information on EPA P2
programs and can direct callers to other federal resources that support pollution
prevention
Over the longer-term, to establish an effective national network of state technical
assistance providers that responds to customer needs, pools existing information, and
efficiently relays new information on developing technologies
Pollution Pievennon Division
33
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Comnuto a collection
that was previously housed off-site.
The telephone service averages more than 500 calls per month and sends out over
1000 documents per month.
Callers include: industry (25%), consultants (24%), state and local governments
(12%), and EPA staff (10%).
Customer survey was established in August 1993 and current survey responses
indicate:
69% of callers are first-time callers
97% of the respondents rate the service as good (50%) or excellent (47%)
78% of the respondents say the information they received was very relevant
The Roundtable, based on results of a survey of technical assistance providers and
clearinghouses, will draft a plan to meet the states' needs for information (draft plan
is due by August 1994). A "blue ribbon" panel of information providers and users
will review this draft plan for a national network of pollution prevention information
centers.
EPA is working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to
coordinate State P2 program development with emerging business assistance centers.
CONTACT Beth Anderson
260-2602
Pollution Prevention Division
34
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State & C(»ninitnit\
9. POLLUTION PREVENTION INCENTIVES for STATES (PPIS)
GRANTS
BACKGROUND
i
States are a primary source for industry in seeking assistance in identifying and
applying prevention approaches.
States vary greatly in the extent and nature of P2 activity, but in almost every
state, prevention is increasingly the way in which states approach
environmental protection.
Resources, however, are limited for state"P2 programs.
The PPA establishes a state grants program to assist in developing state capacity in
offering P2 technical assistance, and in promoting innovation at the state level.
OBJECTIVES
To build and support state multi-media and multi-sectoral pollution prevention
capabilities as an environmental management priority
To provide direct technical assistance and training to industry, businesses and local
governments
To stimulate and demonstrate P2 innovation
STATUS
In 1989, only seven state pollution prevention programs existed; by 1993, this number
rose to 49 states, in part due to EPA's PPIS assistance.
EPA has awarded $20 million to over 70 State and Regional organizations under PPIS
since 1990, including about $4.5 million in 1993.
Pollution Prevention Division
35
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SHU? & Community
PPIS has supported approximately:
54 state and local technical assistance programs
35 data collection programs -
70 training and education programs
Innovative PPIS approaches include:
MA's Blackstone Valley multi-media inspection/technical assistance program,
now expanded statewide
LA's Business Retention Tax Credits to integrate P2 into existing industry and
to attract "clean" industry
A special $450,000 initiative with five publicly-owned treatment works
(POTWs) in five states to pursue various source reduction initiatives
PPIS grants are awarded through the EPA Regional Pollution Prevention Programs.
PPIS grant guidances are developed individually by the ten Regional programs.
with Headquarters providing national goals and objectives.
i
Pollution Prevention Information Tracking System (PPITS) lists state contacts and
profiles and monitors grant progress. It is currently maintained by Headquarters.
For FY '94, we plan to shift management of PPITS to the Regional programs.
For FY '94, allocation of the $6 million for PPIS grants is:
$580K for Regions I< II, III, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X
S680K for Regions IV and V ,
Federal Register Notice announcing the availability of these grants funds was
published in February 1994. ,
Awards will be made by June 15, 1994
CONTACT
Lena Harm
260-2237
Pollution Prevention Division
36
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Stale & Cuininiinin Ein/>in\eiine"i'
10. P2 in PUBLIC HEALTH
BACKGROUND
Public health officials offer a strong opportunity to promote pollution prevention at
the local level. Physicians and other health care professionals also have a widespread
and influential presence at the community level.
PPD has linked up with the National Association of County Health Officials
(NACHO) in an effort to incorporate P2 into the mainstream activities of public
health workers.
PPD has also initiated discussions with the National Association of Physicians for the
Environment (NAPE), which is interested in pursuing some joint prpjects with EPA. -
OBJECTIVES
To facilitate the development of multi-media P2 programs at the local level
nationwide through increased awareness and involvement of local health officials
To assist NAPE in its effort to promote pollution prevention as disease prevention
among physicians arid associations of medical specialties
STATUS
PPD has entered into a cooperative agreement with NACHO through which NACHO
, will provide guidance, training, and technical assistance to local health officials.
NACHO's Executive Committee is currently drafting a P2 resolution that commits the
organization to supporting P2 efforts.
A pollution prevention training session will be conducted at NACHO's national
meeting in July 1994.
NAPE, has approached the Agency with a number of potential areas for partnership --
including a "green physician's office" program and educational materials on P2 for
medical specialties. We are currently evaluating these options.
CONTACTS
Lena Hann Danielle Fuligni
260-2237- 260-4172
Pollution Prevention Division
37
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DrE & the Financial Con:innnir\
11. ACCOUNTING and CAPITAL BUDGETING for PREVENTION
BACKGROUND
Businesses do not understand the full spectrum of environmental costs of their
operations and, consequently, fail to integrate these costs in their decision making.
EPA can serve a catalytic function in convening financial groups interested in
identifying, understanding and integrating these costs in accounting practices.
This project is.part of our Design for the Environment (DfE) program involving the
larger financial community.
OBJECTIVES
To facilitate understanding and integration of environmental costs through the
development and use of improved cost accounting and capital budgeting.
To create a dialogue, develop and disseminate accounting and budgeting tools,
improve coordination and integration of these concepts into corporate and EPA
activities.
STATUS
EPA has hosted focus group meetings to plan a national meeting of experts, including
business accounting, engineering, academic and state stakeholders
A National Stakeholders Workshop was held December 5-7, 1993, in Dallas,
Texas.
Co-sponsors included the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Business
Roundtable, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the
Institute of Management Accountants and ACE (a total cost management
engineering society).
OPPT is finalizing the proceedings of the workshop and a "Stakeholders
Action Agenda" which was developed at the meeting.
A network of over 450 individuals interested in this project has evolved.
Pollunon Prevention Division
38
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DfE £. fhe Financial C
-------
DfE <£ ,he Financial Coinmunm
12. AVAILABILITY of P2 CREDIT and FINANCING
BACKGROUND
Various constraints often prevent businesses -- especially small and medium-sized
firms -- from obtaining financing for adoption of new technologies.
Small businesses frequently lack resources to prepare convincing loan
application packages
Banks are often unfamiliar with prevention, and leery of lender liability
complications
More generally, lack of valid measures of (as opposed to raw data on) firms'
environmental performance often impedes flow of capital for prevention-related
projects.
OBJECTIVES
To enhance ability of small/medium businesses to obtain financing (primarily from
commercial banks) for P2 projects
To harness financial community's inherent influence over business to promote
prevention-oriented behavior
To elevate the profile of prevention in capital markets in order to increase supply of
capital toward this end
STATUS
OPPT has launched a pilot project with Maryland's Pollution Prevention program to
test feasibility of adding a financial counseling component to the existing technical
assistance program.
, A cross-Agency effort is underway to develop an EPA position on a proposed rule to
enhance banks' "community reinvestment" obligations under the Community
Reinvestment Act (CRA) of 1977. The premise of this effort is that these obligations
could be harnessed to increase the availability of credit for pollution prevention
activities, and at the same time promote EPA's environmental justice goals.
*
Pollution Prevention Division
40
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D/E <£ tl'e Financial Coinnn
Work has begun to identify suitable partners in the banking community to help EPA
frame and address issues in the financial sector.
CONTACTS
Ed Weiler
260-2996
John Robison
260-3590
Pollunon Prevention Division
41
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DfE & f/ie Financial Ci»nmunir\
13. P2 in CORPORATE RISK MANAGEMENT
and INSURANCE PROFESSIONS
BACKGROUND
EPA was approached by American Institute of Chartered Property and Casualty
Underwriters (AICPCU) to assist in incorporating pollution prevention into their
certification program for people in the property and liability insurance business.
OBJECTIVE
To incorporate P2 into the day-to-day practices of insurance underwriters and brokers
and corporate risk managers.
STATUS
Insurance curriculum development
By March 1994, WRITAR will have a draft chapter on pollution prevention
for inclusion in AICPCU's textbook for Associates in Risk Management
(ARM) program. This is an important step toward revising the overall
curriculum to incorporate prevention into AICPCU's professional
education/certification program.
Draft "Opportunities Map" for P2 in insurance is complete
The new map, which will be reviewed by members of the risk management
and insurance profession, analyzes the current state of the risk management
- profession and environmental insurance market, provides options for
integrating P2 into the work and products of the insurance industry, and offers
ideas for further investment of EPA efforts to promote pollution prevention in
the risk management and insurance profession.
CONTACT
Eun-Sook Goidel
260-3296
Pollution Prevention Di vision
42
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14. P2 in SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
BACKGROUND
Agriculture production practices continue' to cause ^adverse impacts on the '
environment and raise public health concerns.
Recent events highlight linkages among agricultural production, human and ecosystem
1 ' health:
President's Council on Sustainable Development
National Academy of Sciences report on "Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and
Children"
EPA, U.S, Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) joint initiative to reduce pesticide use and promote
sustainable agriculture
Administrator Browner:
underscored EPA's commitment to food safety by reducing the overall use of
pesticides
stated that EPA has opportunities to improve environmental quality by
reducing pesticides and reevaluating its role in agricultural pollution prevention
OBJECTIVES
To help incorporate P2 approaches into Agency and federal programs that involve
agriculture, such as pesticides and nonpoint source pollution
To strengthen partnerships with states and USDA in implementing prevention
approaches
Pollution Prevention Division
43
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Fedeial Paitne'ships
STATUS
EPA is building partnerships across USDA Cooperative State Research Service,
Extension Service, and Soil Conservation Service.
EPA and USDA jointly manage Agriculture in Concert with the Environment (ACE)
EPA's $2 million investment matched with $6 million from USDA for over 35
grants since 1991.
ACE supports research, education and demonstration projects, especially with
USDA sustainable agriculture program.
ACE results in measurable environmental results and a productive working
partnership between EPA and USDA.
EPA and USDA are producing the Agriculture P2 Plan
An April 1992 Memorandum of Agreement committed the federal agencies to '
cooperate and develop an overall pollution prevention plan.
Four Plan task groups are formed on:
animal waste management
pest management
nutrient management
ecologically important land management
Currently, EPA and USDA staff are preparing recommendations on the key
joint projects in the Plan and developing a new Memorandum of Agreement to
accomplish them.
A potential P2 agribusiness project focus could be on the poultry
industry --
90% of poultry agribusiness is vertically integrated with only 15
companies control 93% of the $15 billion market
Companies could encourage better management of manure,
which is the responsibility of the contract "farmer" v
A 33/50 Program approach could be beneficial
CONTACT Harry Wells
260-4472
Pollunon Prevention Division
44
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15. P2 in ENERGY EFFICIENCY
BACKGROUND
Many of the Agency's major P2 programs for energy-related environmental problems,
such as Green Lights, have been managed out of the Office of Air and Radiation
(OAR).
PPD, however, has traditionally been involved in helping the Agency to
connect environmental and energy policy issues through its work with EPA
sector strategy development. J.
PPD has two significant ongoing energy-related activities:
NICE3: OPPT is managing the National Industrial Competitiveness through
Efficiency: Energy, Environment, and Economy project
This is a grants program, jointly funded with the Department of Energy
(DOE), to help demonstrate new technologies that prevent pollution
through source reduction and energy efficiency.
SRRP: OPPT is working with the Department of Energy (DOE) to identify
technologies that can be reflected in Agency rulemakings.
OBJECTIVE
To improve the integration of energy issues into ongoing source reduction work and
to demonstrate successful approaches that promote both source reduction and energy
efficiency
STATUS
For the FY 1994 NICE3 grants process, DOE is contributing $2.6 million and EPA is
contributing $650,000.
Pollution Prevennon Division
45
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Fedtnil Partnei \hipt,
In FY 1994, we are working to:
Strengthen the Regional role in decision-making
Provide some funds to the States for oversight and technology diffusion
Keep the focus of the NICE3 program on pollution prevention
OPPT recently sorted through DOE information to develop a SRRP cross-walk on key
research projects.
CONTACT
*John Cross
260-3559
Pollution Prevention Division
46
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16. P2 in the FEDERAL ACQUISITION/PROCUREMENT PROCESS
/ t
BACKGROUND
i
In October 1993, President Clinton signed Executive Order 12873 entitled "Federal
Acquisition, Recycling and Waste Prevention." Section 503 of the Executive Order
requires EPA to "issue guidance that recommends'principles that Executive agencies
should use in making determinations for the preference and purchase of
environmentally preferable products" arid services.
OPPT has been tasked with implementing Section 503.
Draft guidance will be published in the Federal Register by April 18, 1994.
OBJECTIVE
To harness the federal government's $200 billion purchasing power to promote
markets for products and services that result in less risk to human and ecological
health
STATUS
In January 1994, OPPT issued and sought comment on a "concept paper" laying out
an initial framework for implementing the environmentally preferable provision of the
Executive Order.
In February 1994, a public meeting was held to obtain initial input from interested
parties on developing the guidance. Over 130 people participated, and ove'r 25
organizations testified.
A series of "stakeholder" meetings are planned for February through March. These
meetings are intended to provide an opportunity for outside organizations to have a
more in-depth discussion with EPA. Minutes from these meetings are in the public
docket.
Intra- and inter-agency (e.g., DOE, DOD, GSA, CPSC, etc.) workgroups have been
established and have met a number of times.
Pollution Prevention Division
47
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iiiii ul Pat met \iup\
CONTACTS
Sharon Stahl
260-2718
Eun-Sook Goidel
260-3296
Claudia O'Brien
260-0688
Jed Meline
260-0695
Pollution Prevention Division
48
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P2
17. NATIONAL POLLUTION PREVENTION CENTER (NPPC)
for HIGHER EDUCATION
BACKGROUND
The National Pollution Prevention Center (NPPC) for Higher Education at the
University of Michigan, established in 1992, represents a collaborative effort between
business, industry, government, non-profits, and academe to advance P2 in university
curriculum, especially engineering, business and environmental disciplines.
Michigan won a national $320,000 EPA competition in 1991 involving more
than 25 other universities
The NPPC has an internalized commitment from the university's various colleges to
facilitate P2 in the classroom.
Additionally, a strong industry-based External Advisory Committee (EAC)
meets semi-annually to help insure that the center is addressing the needs of
tomorrow's workforce.
The NPPC's leading activities include:
. The development of P2 curriculum modules - sets of materials from which
faculty can draw to help incorporate P2 concepts into their courses.
Creating a national intern program consisting of industry/company sponsors,
college/university mentors, the center, and qualified interns.
OBJECTIVE
To incorporate P2 thinking and approaches in key university curriculum and to
advance prevention among the university community
STATUS
Center progress may be characterized as steady, if unspectacular.
Pollution Pievennon Division
49
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P2 Education, Communicanon & Outreach
Many key curriculum modules are either completed or now neanng completion
accounting business law
chemical engineering chemistry
architecture , industrial design
corporate strategy
industrial engineering and operations research
Participation of the larger university community in the NPPC, initially low, has
recently increased but must be increased more
Syracuse developed an operations management module
UCLA developed a directory of P2 in higher education for the NPPC
The NPPC has discussed working several ORD P2 research university centers
and the P2 Consortium of New England Universities on curriculum
development.
The EAC, representing many of the,nation's leading companies, has been very active
and supportive in the center's activities, although not very forthcoming with private
sector funds.
Small and medium-sized businesses are being added as a NPPC "client," along with
larger industries.
The Center received $500K from EPA for 1994, and another $240K from the 3M
v Company, a Center corporate sponsor.
CONTACT
John Shoaff
260-1831
Pollution Prevention Division
50
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P2 EtliiLtintin CcinniiiniCtinon X Onnt't
18. POLLUTION PREVENTION TRAINING and LEARNING
BACKGROUND
Agency and environmental personnel outside the Agency are generally better trained
in pollution control and cleanup than in preventive approaches.
The PPA states that "(EPA will) establish a training program on source reduction
opportunities, including workshops and guidance documents, for State and Federal
permit issuance, enforcement, and inspection officials working within all Agency
program offices."
Three levels of training have traditionally been supported by EPA:
;
General conceptual P2 training for new employees (in some regions, this has
extended to all employees)
P2 training for Agency program-specific activities, such as single-media
regulations, permitting, compliance, and enforcement
Technical P2 training for select industry and small businesses
The mainstream environmental training community is more focused on compliance
than cross-media facility audits and prevention training.
OBJECTIVE
To promote P2 as the preferred approach in environmental audits and training
STATUS
General P2 orientation is available to all EPA employees through the "Core
Curriculum" P2 course offered by the EPA Institute, the Agency's primary manager
for environmental and other training.
The Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (PPIC) collects P2 training
materials (courses, videos, sample workshop exercises) and provides a fact sheet on
how to obtain these materials.
Pollution Pievennon Division
51
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P2 Education. Comniunn.anon & Outreach
PPIC serves as a repository and distribution point for P2 educational materials.
Working through the EPA Institute, with other EPA training contacts and Regional P2
coordinators, we are working to improve internal EPA P2 training by:
identifying where educational materials can be obtained
evaluating the adequacy of materials
assessing what additional training materials need to be developed
With the help of a cooperative agreement engaging the mainstream environmental
training community - Georgia Tech Research Institute, EPA is developing an external
training strategy for the next three years which will:
determine which factors most motivate an audience to seek information on
prevention
build upon the core needs of industry and other environmental training
"customers"
target training opportunities where we have the greatest potential for changing
current control and cleanup practices
effect partnerships with states, local governments, industry and academia to
promote widespread P2 training
CONTACT
Beth Anderson
260-2602
Pollution Prevention Division
52
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P2 Education, Conununicanon & Oitneacli
19. AMERICAN INSTITUTE for POLLUTION PREVENTION (AIPP)
BACKGROUND
The American Institute for Pollution Prevention (AIPP), formed in 1991, is comprised
of volunteer P2 experts who represent the leading national and international trade
associations and professional societies.
This membership also embodies a unique cross-section of business and
industry with which the members are directly affiliated through their full-time
positions.
The AIPP, funded by EPA, has sponsored projects like P2 cost-accounting guidance,
industry case studies and prevention engineering curriculum. :
OBJECTIVE
To "promote and achieve the adoption of the pollution prevention ethic by .catalyzing
change and defining and promoting new directions that are environmentally and
economically compatible"
STATUS
AIPP has recently gained incorporation status, which may enable it to seek broader
government and private funding. ,
Previously, most funding came from OPPT and ORD.
Recently, the organization completed a strong directional executive committee meeting
whereby the committee, building on its mission statement and objectives, identified
' specific strengths of their organization and narrowed their focus to detailed areas
where they could add value for their customers.
AIPP must reemphasize its links to associations as a central operating premise if it is
to be fully effective in the future.
CONTACT
John Shoaff-
260-1831
Pollution Prevention Division
53
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d Outreach
20. The POLLUTION PREVENTION NEWS
BACKGROUND
The Pollution Prevention News, an OPPT quarterly publication, provides information
to industry, states and the public about prevention progress both inside the Agency
and across the nation.
It has been published since 1991 and now has a circulation of about 13.000.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a vehicle for documenting the progress of prevention.
STATUS.
News readership and the editorial scope of the publication continues to increase as P2
has become more important and visible.
CONTACT
Ruth Heikkinen (EAD)
260-1803
Pollunon Prevennon Diwsion
54
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P2 Education. Coininuniainon A.
21. The WOODS HOLE P2 CONFERENCE
BACKGROUND
Since 1984, EPA, in conjunction with the Waste Watch Center in Andover,
Massachusetts, has sponsored a meeting of leading pollution prevention advocates.
The conference is generally held in June at the National Academy of Sciences' Woods
Hole Conference Center on Cape Cod.
About 100 representatives from industry, states, federal government,-
environmental and public interest groups unite for a three-day conference on a
leading prevention theme or topic.
, OPPT contributes a share of the meeting's $40,000 funding, along with EPA's
Offices of Solid Waste and Research and Development.
Previous attendees include former EPA Deputy Administrator Hank Habicht
and many industry and state government leaders.
The 1993 theme was "widening the P2 circle," which focused on
environmental technology, small business and the expanding role of the federal
government. Vic Kimm was a co-keynote speaker at the conference.
OBJECTIVE
To offer a national forum to advance strategic prevention ideas and approaches.
STATUS
OPPT funding (about $20,000) has been set aside for the 1994 conference, with
contributions from OSW and ORD as well.
1994 conference planning has begun with the theme of "Prevention in Regulation"
being given serious consideration.
CONTACTS
Danielle Fuligni Julie Shannon
260-4172 260-2736
Pollunon Pievennon Division
55
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P2 Education, Conunum canon & Ourreach
22. P2 QUARTERLY ACTIVITY REPORT
BACKGROUND
The P2-Monthly Activity Report was created to facilitate communication among the
regional P2 coordinators and include Headquarters P2 news
Regional P2 coordinators vary in how the report is used and distributed. For some
regions, the report is a list of accomplishments for management attention, while other
regions distribute it to regional staff and to states.
OBJECTIVE
To share ideas, describe accomplishments, and list upcoming training opportunities
and conferences on P2 among regions and Headquarters offices.
STATUS
, Reporting was changed from monthly to quarterly to eliminate items of minor
importance
\
At P2 coordinators meetings in April 1993 and November 1993, the regions have
reiterated their desire to maintain publication of the QAR.
CONTACT
Beth Andersdn
260-2602
Pollunon Prevention Division
56
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P: T, ,,
23. ENVIRONMENTAL LABELING
BACKGROUND
Environmental labeling (or "ecolabeling") generally refers to claims about the
environmental attributes of products or services. These may be made by either a first
party (e.g., claim of recycled content on aluminum container) or third party (e.g.,
certification by the German Blue Angel program)
Environmental labeling can take the form of positive claims, mandatory
negative warnings and neutral information disclosures.
Environmental labels convey information about the environmental attributes of a
product or service to a user or consumer. They are considered to be a "soft" policy -
instrument designed to invoke a behavior change which ultimately benefits the
environment. The following are examples of the types of environmental labeling and .
their desired effect:
Marketers use environmental marketing claims on products to increase sales by
highlighting their environmental attributes.
The federal government uses mandatory labels to inform or warn users about a
product's potential effects on human health and the environment. Examples are
the EPA fuel economy label or the Ozone Depleting Substance Warning label.
Third party certification programs, such as Green Seal, Scientific Certification
Systems, and Germany's Blue Angel program act as independent bodies that
evaluate and certify products for marketers to:
give consumers a reliable source of information about specific products'
and services;
differentiate their products and services based on relative environmental
impacts; and
increase their company's marketplace performance by guiding them to
provide products and services with reduced adverse environmental
impacts x
Pollution Prevention
57
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P2 Tonh
Approximately 22 national level environmental labeling programs exist. The U.S.
does not .have a federal program, although Green Seal and Scientific Certification
Systems are two competing private programs. '
Beginning in 1988-89, the number of voluntary environmental claims proliferated.
The meaning and environmental benefits of some claims were unclear, causing
confusion among consumers. Petitions from industry'and state attorneys general
v , prompted the Federal Trade Commission to issue guidelines to help reduce consumer
confusion and prevent the false and misleading use of environmental marketing ,
claims.
OBJECTIVES
To provide policy analysis and accurate background information to the public and
others on environmental labeling issues
\
To objectively inform any Agency decision on federal labeling involvement
STATUS
EPA has conducted research and policy analysis to build a foundation for development
of policy options.
Factors Which Determine Success of Environmental Certification and
Labeling Programs, May 1994 (expected)
Design for the Environment marketing pilot for printing, Spring 1994
(expected)
Status Report on Environmental Labeling Programs Worldwide, September
1993
The Use of Life Cycle Assessment in Environmental Labeling Programs,'
September 1993
Evaluation of Environmental Marketing Terms in the United States,
February 1993
Background Research, Issues, and Recommendations, December 1989
"Pollution Prevention Division
58
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P2
EPA has been an active participant in recent debates
EPA assisted the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in developing new
environmental guidelines, which were issued in July 1992.
OPPT sponsored meetings of U.S. stakeholder to gather baseline information
and identify issues of concern.
OPPT has maintained a dialogue with Canada on its labeling program -
Environmental Choice. N
OPPT has begun to assess the Agency's role with regard to national and
international standards where labeling is involved.
CONTACT
Julie Lynch
260-4000
Pollution Prevention Division
59
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P2 Tool*
24. P2 and VOLUNTARY ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS
BACKGROUND
U.S. businesses and industry face some current and potentially critical issues
involving environmental standards developed through national and international non-
regulatory processes.
Groups like the International Standards Organization (ISO) 'and the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) have become increasingly active in
environmental standard setting
Standards already under voluntary development include:
environmental auditing
life cycle analysis
environmental labeling
environmental management systems
environmental performance
These-issues may also impact a wide variety of program areas within EPA,
particularly pollution prevention, Design for Environment, and innovative
technology initiatives.
Currently, there is no formal Agency membership or established cross-media or cross-
office network to coordinate the standards work across the Agency.
OBJECTIVES
To remain cognizant of national international standards activities
To establish a mechanism for developing Agency positions on standards issues and
consider appropriate ways to participate in overall standard-setting activities
STATUS
OPPT has taken leadership to create an internal EPA network to coordinate Agency
position on policy, procedures, technical content, use and implication of standards.
Pollution Prevennon Division
60
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P2
Lead EPA offices have been identified and are being coordinated for specific national
and international standards involvement.
OPPT has taken leadership on life-cycle analysis, environmental labeling and
environmental performance.
The office will also be involved in the other two areas, environmental auditing
and environmental management systems.
A briefing for proposed work and approach in this area is now being developed for
Assistant Administrator and Administrator levels.
CONTACT
Mary McKiel
260-3584
Pollunon Ptevennon Division
61
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P2
25. MEASURING PREVENTION
BACKGROUND
The inability to measure the effects of preventive approaches hampers their
application
In supplemental environmental projects (SEPs), for instance, EPA is not
always able to demonstrate the benefits of this approach sufficiently of offset
congressional concerns about the reduction of activity-based measures, such as
inspections.
OBJECTIVE
To document, as objectively as possible, the benefits of preventive approaches
STATUS
OPPT, in conjunction with ORD, has participated in several national meetings
intended to promote P2 measurement and operationalize the concept.
CONTACT
Jim Craig
260-4164
Pollution Prevention Division
62
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26. LITE-CYCLE ASSESSMENT
BACKGROUND
Life-Cycle assessment (LCA) has received increased attention as a holistic
environmental decision support tool and, in certain processes and industries, has been
operationalized to give a clearer picture of environmental burdens associated with
processes and products.
A multi-office EPA core group, operative in the Agency for the last few years, directs
LCA research and analysis. Participating offices, in addition to OPPT, include:
ORD's Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory (Cincinnati)
OAR's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
OSWER's Office of Solid Waste
OBJECTIVES
To develop a consensus-based standard methodology for conducting LCAs.
To test methodology and disseminate information on methods and results of case
studies.
STATUS
PPD, with EPA core group input, is examining potential LCA applications within the
Agency on:
applying LCA concepts to the rule-making process
LCA as a basis for environmental labeling programs
PPD coordinates multi-office interaction and discussion on these issues and serves as
Agency lead for international voluntary standard setting efforts in LCA.
CONTACT
Eun-Sook Goidel
260-3296
Pollution Prevention Division
63
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P2 Tools
27. POLLUTION PREVENTION CONTRACTS
\
BACKGROUND
OPPT and other EPA offices have had a difficult time reaching contractors and others
who can help advance P2 within the Agency and through its programs.
In the-past, the primary means of the Pollution Prevention Division (PPD)
getting contractor support for its activities was by soliciting help from other
EPA organizations.
EPA's contracts office has encouraged all programs to establish their own mission
contracts.
>,
Various constraints often hampered PPD's mission.
We devoted many hours of effort to searching for appropriate vehicles and to
trying to persuade others to let PPD staff use it.
Written guidelines under other contracts are not generally geared toward
PPD's objectives.
We lack control on the other organizations' processes and procedures. Money
can be lost and work assignments are delayed.
OBJECTIVE
To create contracts that will support the majority of OPPT prevention needs as well as
the needs of Regional P2 programs.
STATUS
A draft scope of work has been developed
A compilation of information was gathered from PPD staff on their contracting
needs, with a projection for any future needs.
Project Officer designee has developed a draft statement of work for the division.
CONTACT
Pam Moseley
260-2722
Pollution Prevention Division
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P2 Appioaclie^ in Envnoninental Li
28. LEGISLATIVE TRACKING and ANALYSES
BACKGROUND
EPA, over the past dozen years, has not formally participated very much in drafting
new environmental legislation, either at the federal or state level.
A number of key environmental statutes, including the Clean Water Act, RCRA and
Superfund, are now being considered for reauthorization.
OBJECTIVE
To encourage preventive approaches, where appropriate, in Federal law.
STATUS
i
OPPT is now watching prevention issues on Capitol Hill.
OPPT is working very actively with EPA's Office of Congressional and Legislative
Affairs (OCLA) and other programs on the Clean Water Act reauthorization.
1
OPPT, in discussions with media program managers, has developed intelligence on
key problems with other federal media statutes.
We have traditionally tracked the development of state P2 environmental statutes,
which have been increasing in the past couple years.
j
Cross-media state permitting, enforcement, facility planning, and changes to
the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) have been four major areas of state
legislative tracking and are of special interest.
i /
PPD has a cooperative agreement with WRTTAR to assess the effectiveness of state
facility planning programs, to help inform the debate at the federal level.
CONTACTS John Cross Stephanie Clough (EAD)
260-3557 260-0097
Pollution Prevention Division
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\'jenc> Pollunon Pre\ennon Contacts
ATTACHMENT 3:
AGENCY POLLUTION PREVENTION CONTACTS
OPPT Pollution Prevention Division 260-3557
FAX 260-0178
Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse >. 260-1023 or
260-1758
i
Pollunon Prevention Division
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