Pollution Prevention And Related Useful Links

Information on this page has been provided to Fox Metro through the courtesy of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency – Maywood Office; and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Waste Management & Research Center

Pollution Prevention (P2) is exactly what it says it is: Not allowing an activity to generate pollution. Examples of P2 include:

Source Reduction
In-Process Recycling
Clean Technologies
Using Environmental Friendly Materials Wherever Possible
Preventative Maintenance

Because P2 does not allow pollution to happen in the first place, “end-of pipe” treatment, sewer disposal, off-site waste recycling, land filling and incineration are not examples of pollution prevention.

Benefits of P2 to an industry are summarized in the following table:

Cost Containment	Improve Quality
Reduce waste monitoring, treatment & disposal costs.	Enhance corporate image with customers and the public.
Reduce manufacturing costs and raw material usage.	Improve employee morale by reducing exposure to hazardous substances.
Reduce costs associated with off-spec product generation.	Promote a healthier, safer workplace.
Reduce regulatory compliance costs.	Improve product quality and purity.
Reduce insurance costs and potential liability associated with industrial wastes.	Sense of self-satisfaction in knowing you have helped to protect the environment for future generations.

Cost Containment

Improve Quality

Reduce waste monitoring, treatment & disposal costs.

Enhance corporate image with customers and the public.

Reduce manufacturing costs and raw material usage.

Improve employee morale by reducing exposure to hazardous substances.

Reduce costs associated with off-spec product generation.

Promote a healthier, safer workplace.

Reduce regulatory compliance costs.

Improve product quality and purity.

Reduce insurance costs and potential liability associated with industrial wastes.

Sense of self-satisfaction in knowing you have helped to protect the environment for future generations.

Don’t know where to start or need some help?

You may find the following links both useful and interesting:

P2 Informational Websites:

Texas Water Utilities Association is a website that lists potential pollutant sources and provides pollution prevention tips on a pollutant by pollutant basis.
University of Missouri – Office of Waste Management is a website that provides information on waste reduction assistance for business.
Research Triangle Institute (Sage) is a website that offers a Solvent Alternatives Guide.
P2 Database (Envirosense) is a website that offers links to P2 research and other related information.
USEPA Pollution Prevention is a website offering general P2 information.

State Agencies Offering P2 Help:

The Illinois Waste Management and Research Center (WMRC) (phone 217/333-8940) is headquartered on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. WMRC is a division within the Office of Scientific Research and Analysis of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. WMRC offers P2 information, P2 Facility Assessments, technology evaluation testing, research funding & laboratory analysis.
The Illinois EPA Office of Pollution Prevention (phone 217/782-8700) is headquartered in Springfield , Illinois and offers general P2 information, P2 Facility Assessments and a no to low cost graduate intern program.

USEPA Publications:

Guides to Pollution Prevention – Municipal Pretreatment Programs
Publication No. EPA/625/R-93/006, October, 1993