Handbook of Solvents - George Wypych - ChemTech - Ventech!

1298 Carlos M. Nu�ez
Figure 19.5. Definition of a hazardous waste (Figure2-40CFR260,
Appendix I).
technology has its place in many
applications, new approaches
need to be considered to obtain
emissions reduction required by
new regulations.
In 1990, Congress passed
the Pollution Prevention (P2) Act,
recognizing that to attain greater
levels of pollution reduction, reduction
or prevention of pollution
at the source “through cost-effective
changes in production, operation,
and raw materials use”
needed to be encouraged and implemented.
3 A fundamental belief
expressed in the P2 Act, is that
these changes would not only help
the environment but would benefit
industry’s bottom line through
the reduction of raw material, pollution
control, and liability costs. 3
19.5.1.2 Source Reduction
Provisions
The P2 Act is an attempt by the
U.S. to establish a framework for
integrated multimedia environmental initiatives. The P2 Act provides for a multimedia, integrated,
and cost-effective approach to solving environmental problems while encouraging
sustainable development. P2 or source reduction includes any practice that reduces or eliminates
the creation of pollutants through increased efficiency in the use of raw materials, energy,
water, or other resources, or protection of natural resources by conservation. Pollution
may be reduced by modifying equipment or technology, modifying processes, reformulating
products, substituting raw materials, and improving housekeeping, maintenance, training,
or inventory control. 3 The P2 Act encourages the reduction or elimination of wastes of
all types and requires that facilities reporting to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) provide
documentation of their P2/waste minimization or reuse efforts for TRI-reportable chemicals.
The P2 Act required EPA to establish an Office of Pollution Prevention with the authority
of promoting source reduction through a multimedia perspective. The Office of Pollution
Prevention already existed under The Office of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation
(OPPE). It was established by EPA 2 years prior the enactment of the P2 Act. In response to
the P2 Act, in 1991, this office developed a source reduction strategy.
The P2 Act also includes provisions aimed at improving the collection and public access
of data. Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986,
industrial facilities are required to report on their annual releases of toxic chemicals to the