Reducing pollution of every kind.

FEATURED PROJECTS

We can all work together to discover solutions to the massive problems in reducing pollution of all kinds. It can be done

What is Pollution Prevention?

Pollution prevention is any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution at its source. P2, also known as “source reduction,” is the ounce-of-prevention approach to waste management. Reducing the amount of pollution produced means less waste to control, treat, or dispose of. Less pollution means less hazards posed to public health and the environment.

Specific pollution prevention approaches

Pollution prevention approaches can be applied to all potential and actual pollution-generating activities, including those found in the energy, agriculture, federal, consumer and industrial sectors. Prevention practices are essential for preserving wetlands, groundwater sources and other critical ecosystems – areas in which we especially want to stop pollution before it begins.

In the energy sector, pollution prevention can reduce environmental damages from extraction, processing, transport and combustion of fuels. Pollution prevention approaches include:

• increasing efficiency in energy use;
• use of environmentally benign fuel sources.

In the agricultural sector, pollution prevention approaches include:

• Reducing the use of water and chemical inputs;
• Adoption of less environmentally harmful pesticides or cultivation of crop strains with natural resistance to pests; and
• Protection of sensitive areas.

In the industrial sector, examples of reducing pollution practices include:

• Modifying a production process to produce less waste
• Using non-toxic or less toxic chemicals as cleaners, degreasers and other maintenance chemicals
• Implementing water and energy conservation practices
• Reusing materials such as drums and pallets rather than disposing of them as waste

In homes and schools examples of reducing pollution practices include:

• Using reusable water bottles instead of throw-aways
• Automatically turning off lights when not in use
• Repairing leaky faucets and hoses
• Switching to “green” cleaners

Why is pollution prevention important?

Pollution prevention reduces both financial costs (waste management and cleanup) and environmental costs (health problems and environmental damage). Pollution prevention protects the environment by conserving and protecting natural resources while strengthening economic growth through more efficient production in industry and less need for households, businesses and communities to handle waste.