Potential Pollution Prevention Benefits
Pollution prevention can save you money and boost a company's prestige. The potential benefits include:
- Reduced cost of treating, managing, and disposing of wastes
- Reduced raw material use/costs
- Improved ability to sustain compliance
- Reduced risk of future environmental and worker health liability
- Better communication/working relationships with regulatory agencies
- Improved corporate image
Pollution Prevention Activities
Pollution prevention activities change the way materials are produced to reduce or eliminate waste
through approaches including:
- Product redesign
- Use of less toxic materials in production
- Modification of production processes
- Improved housekeeping
Pollution prevention also avoids the transfer of wastes from one environmental resource
(e.g., air, water or land) to another.
DNR Contact
Jeff Fiagle
(515)281-5353
Jeff.Fiagle@dnr.state.ia.us
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The following hierarchy of waste management shows the relative levels of desirability among waste
management strategies.
SOURCE REDUCTION (Pollution Prevention) - First eliminate or reduce the generation of wastes at
the source, including solid waste, air emissions, and releases to water. Eliminate or reduce the
acquisition and use of materials that will contribute to waste generation and toxicity. Substitute less
toxic and less hazardous materials wherever possible. This is the most preferable of all waste management
strategies.
MATERIAL REUSE - Reuse material to reduce and eliminate the net generation of waste. An example is to
reuse incoming packaging for outgoing packaging.
RECYCLING - Recycle, or reclaim waste material to minimize the net waste generated. Onsite recycling is
given precedence over offsite recycling.
TREATMENT - Minimize the amount, toxicity and hazardous qualities of waste materials by on-site or
off-site treatment.
DISPOSAL - The remaining waste should be disposed of properly.
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