MULTI - MEDIA
POLLUTION
PREVENTION
OPPORTUNITIES
helpful information from
U.S. EPA Region III
Philadelphia, PA
OCTOBER 1990
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POLLUTION PREVENTION
VS. POLLUTION CONTROL
In the past, EPA has focused
primarily on media-specific
end-of-pipe pollution controls.
Now, in order to better address
global problems and to make
further strides in the reduction
of discharges, EPA is promoting
Pollution Prevention (reduction,
recycling, and reuse). EPA
encourages the use of Pollution
Prevention to meet or exceed
regulatory standards.
POLLUTION PREVENTION PAYS
When a company reduces the
amount of pollutants it produces,
it usually saves money.
Less is spent on energy and raw
materials. Long and short-term
health and ecological risks
decrease. Management and disposal
costs decrease. And, pollution
prevention can significantly
improve a company's public image.
Success requires both
management and employee
commitment. Pollution Prevention
is an attitudinal change.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
First, conduct a pollution prevention
assessment of company operations.
Identify all pollutants produced. Then
figure out where they are produced
and why. Prepare a plan.
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What changes can be made that
will reduce volume and toxicity?
Train management and employees
to recognize opportunities. Set
up an incentive program.
IMPROVE HOUSEKEEPING
Buy the proper amount of raw materials.
Buy only what you need since material
that exceeds its shelf life will require
disposal.
Use as little water and absorbants
as possible for cleanups.
Do not mix hazardous with non-
hazardous waste. Segregate
wastes to lower disposal costs.
Keep lids on containers except
when removing materials.
Check and maintain all equipment,
particularly pumps and valves, on a
regular basis. Install splash guards
and drip trays around equipment to
contain teaks and spills. Set up a
preventive maintenance program.
SUBSTITUTE MATERIALS
Switch to non-hazardous raw
materials; if not available, switch
to the least hazardous alternative.
Choose raw materials that won't
combine to produce a hazardous
waste.
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Buy raw materials that com© in
returnable containers.
MODIFY THE PROCESS
Replace old equipment with
more efficient equipment.
Set equipment for optimal
performance.
Schedule jobs to keep clean-up
waste from changeovers at a
minimum.
Consolidate similar operational
steps,
REUSE & RECYCLE
Think of wastes as product.
Recycle wastes back into the
process.
Use wastes as raw materials in
jobs that don't need a totally pure
composition.
Use a regional waste exchange
operation to find a company that
wilt accept your waste to use as
a raw material or a company that
will recycle it.
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO IDENTIFY
AND PURSUE YOUR POLLUTION
PREVENTION OPPORTUNITIES BE
PART OF THIS CULTURAL CHANGE.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
US EPA Region III
Pollution Prevention Program
215-597-9384
US EPA Headquarters
Pollution Prevention Office
202-245-4164
US EPA Pollution Prevention Clearinghouse
703-821-4800 (info)
703-506-1025 (access)
US EPA Cincinnati
Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory
513-569-7215
RCRA/Superfund Hotline
800-424-9346 or 202-382-3000
Center for Hazardous Materials Research (CHMR)
320 William Pitt Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
800-334-CHMR
GRCDA Small Quantity Generator Clearinghouse
P.O. Box 7219
Silver Spring, MD 20910
800-458-5886 or 301 -585-0873
Northeast Industrial Waste Exchange
90 Presidential Plaza, Suite 122
Syracuse, NY 13202
315-422-6572
Waste Minimization Opportunity
Assessment Manual
EPA/62 5/7-8 8/0 03
513-569-7562
Waste Minimization, Environmental Quality
with Economic Benefits
E PA/53 O-SW-87-026
703-821-4800
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