Pollution prevention barriers

As discussed previously, industiy is beginning to realize that there are profound benefits associated with pollution prevention including cost effectiveness, reduced hability, enhanced public image, and regula-toiy compliance. Nevertheless, there are barriers or disincentives identifiea with pollution prevention. This section will briefly outline both barriers and incentives that may need to be confronted or considered during the evaluation of a pollution prevention program. 

Barriers to Pollution Prevention ( The Dirty Dozen ) There are numerous reasons why more businesses are not reducing the wastes they generate. The following dirty dozen are common disincentives ... 

Pollution-Prevention Incentives ( A Baker s Dozen ) Various means exist to encourage pollution prevention through regiilatoiy measures, economic incentives, and technical assistance programs. Since the benefits of pollution prevention can surpass prevention barriers, a baker s dozen incentives is presented below ... 

Although numerous cases have been documented where petroleum refineries have simultaneously reduced pollution outputs and operating costs through pollution prevention techniques, there are often barriers to their im-plementation. The primary barrier to most pollution prevention projects is cost. Many pollution prevention options simply do not pay for themselves, or the economics often appear marginal. Corporate investments typically must earn an adequate return on invested capital for the shareholders and some pollution prevention options at some facilities may not meet the requirements set by company policies. 

Discuss some of the barriers to implementing a pollution prevention prognun. 

Regulatory barriers. Existing regulations that have created incentives for the control and containment of wastes are at the same time discouraging the exploration of pollution-prevention alternatives. Moreover, since regulatory enforcement is often intermittent, current legislation can weaken waste-reduction incentives. 

Institutional barriers. In an organization without a strong infrastructure to support pollution-prevention plans, waste-reduction programs will be difficult to implement. Similarly, if there is no mechanism in place to hold individuals accountable for their actions, the successful implementation of a pollution-prevention program will be limited. 

Byers, R. L. Regulatory barriers to pollution prevention. J. Air Waste Management Assoc. 41, 418 22(1991). 

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