Introduction to

Pollution Prevention

Introduction
to
Pollution
Prevention
 Overview

What is P2? What is NOT P2?

P2 and regulations
Benefits of P2
Elements of a P2 program
Introduction
to
P2 in action (perspective, methods)
Pollution Barriers to P2
Prevention
Resources

There is always a better way!

 Why do we care?

Polluters can easily contaminate

our drinking water...
P O LLU TER W AT ER T R EAT M EN T H O M ES
PLANT

Introduction
to
Pollution
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 Why do we care?

We all breathe the same air ...

Introduction
to
Pollution
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 What is Pollution Prevention (P2)?

POLLUTION PREVENTION is the

use of materials processes or
practices that reduce or eliminate
the creation of pollutants or wastes
Introduction
at the source.
to
Pollution
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 Pollution Prevention means eliminating or
reducing the amount and toxicity of
potentially harmful substances at their
sources, prior to generation, treatment,
off-site recycling or disposal. It emphasizes
preventing or minimizing pollution, rather
than controlling it once it is generated.
Introduction Pollution prevention has expanded as new
to challenges have come into focus -
Pollution addressing climate change, combating
Prevention sprawl, and promoting the use of green
building techniques and renewable energy.

There is always a better way!

 These practices include:
Raw material substitution: switching to
less hazardous materials
Process modification: changing the
production process to improve efficiency
and reduce the use of toxic substances
Equipment upgrade: installing more
efficient equipment to reduce raw
material consumption and produce less
Introduction waste.
to Product redesign: reducing certain raw
Pollution
materials in products or packaging, or
improving manufacturability.
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 What are WASTE$?

W astewater
A ir emissions
S olid waste
T ime
Introduction
to
E nergy
Pollution $
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 P2 vs. Pollution Control

Source POLLUTION
Reduction CONTROL
Reuse
Treatment
Introduction
to
Pollution POLLUTION
Prevention PREVENTION
Disposal

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 P2 and Regulations

Pollution Prevention Act of 1990

SOURCE
REDUCTION
Introduction
REUSE
to RECYCLE
Pollution TREATMENT
DISPOSAL
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 P2 and Regulations

Florida Pollution Prevention Act of

1991
Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (e.g. manifests)
Introduction Clean Air Act (e.g. Maximum
to Achievable Control Technologies)
Pollution
Prevention
Non-Point Discharge Elimination
System (Stormwater P2 Plans)
There is always a better way!
 Benefits of P2

Reduced costs
Regulatory compliance
Public health & the environment
Improved image
Introduction
to
Pollution
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 Benefits of P2

Reduced materials costs

Reduced disposal costs
Reduced compliance costs
Reduced worker exposure
Introduction
to
Reduced risk & liability
Pollution Reduced insurance costs
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 Pollution prevention really pays in reduced
environmental impact, and in new sales,
lower cost, higher quality, less regulatory
impact and fewer liabilities." Robert Bringer,
Vice President of 3M Company, says of the
benefits of 3M's Pollution Prevention Pays
Introduction program
to
Pollution
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 P2 in Action: Perspective

A new perspective ...

Introduction
to
Pollution
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 P2 in Action: Perspective

Older woman

Introduction
to
Pollution
Younger woman
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 P2 in Action: Perspective

Connect the dots

4 straight lines
Continuous (don't lift pen from
paper)
Introduction
to
Pollution
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 P2 in Action: Perspective

Think outside the box!

Introduction
to
Pollution
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 Many businesses, both large and small,
are operated differently by thinking
prevention rather than control. Pollution
prevention practices can include
changes in design, raw materials,
production processes, and delivery of a
Introduction
product.
to
Pollution
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 P2 in Action: Methods

Process elimination T
Housekeeping R
Inventory management A
Waste segregation I
Introduction
N
to
Pollution I
Prevention N
G
There is always a better way!
 P2 in Action: Methods

Reuse / recycle T
Raw material substitution R
Equipment modifications A
Process changes I
Introduction
N
to
Pollution I
Prevention N
G
There is always a better way!
 Elements of a P2 Program

Top management commitment

P2 champion
Waste tracking & cost allocation
Employee involvement and training
Introduction
to
Recurring waste minimization
Pollution assessments
Prevention Technology transfer and crossfeed

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 Barriers to P2

Inertia
Finance
Regulations
Technology
Introduction
to
Learning curve
Pollution
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 WHAT CAN BE DONE AT HOME OR
AT SCHOOL?
You may be practicing practicing
pollution prevention at
home without even realizing it! For
example, if you use a plunger to
unclog a sink instead of a toxic
drain cleaner, conserve energy by
hanging clothes on a line or use
mulch in your garden to control
weeds instead of chemical weed
killer, you are practicing pollution
Introduction prevention. Schools can employ
to organic land care techniques and
improve indoor air quality by using
Pollution green cleaners.
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 Resources

Florida Pollution Prevention

Roundtable (FLPPR) online at:
http://www.flppr.org

Introduction
to
Pollution
Prevention

There is always a better way!

 Conclusion

What is P2? What is NOT P2?

P2 and regulations
Benefits of P2
Elements of a P2 program
Introduction
to
P2 in action (perspective, methods)
Pollution Barriers to P2
Prevention
Resources

There is always a better way!

 What Can Be Done
Starting Today

Introduction
to
Pollution
Prevention

There is always a better way!