Pollution prevention definition

Although the EPAs policy does not consider recycling or treatment as actual pollution prevention methods per se, these methods present an opportunity to reduce the amount of waste that might otheiwise be discharged into the environment. Clearly, the definition of pollution prevention and its synonyms (e.g., waste minimization) must be understood to fully appreciate and apply these techniques. 

Waste minimization generally considers all of the methods in the EPA hierarchy (except for disposal) appropriate to reduce the volume or quantity of waste requiring dispos (i.e., source reduction). The definition oi source reduction as applied in the Pollution Prevention Act, however, is any practice that reduces the amount of any hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant entering any waste stream... 

Glossary Definitions of air pollution prevention and control terms ... 

To understand the possible benefits, we must first develop a working definition of pollution prevention. Although the term seems obvious, there are often wrong interpretations given to P2 practices. 

Several definitions of pollution prevention can be found in the literature (e.g., El-Halwagi and Petrides, 1995 Freeman, 1995 Theodore et al, 1994 Noyes, 1993). These definitions vary in the scope of pollution prevention. Throughout this book, the term pollution prevention will be used to describe any activity that is aimed at reducing, to the extent feasible, the release of undesirable substances to the environment. Other terms such as waste minimization, reduction, and management will be used interchangeably as synonyms for pollution prevention. 

AQUATECH Systems is a state-of-the-art bipolar membrane separation technology which exemplifies "pollution prevention" technology rather than "end of the pipe" regulation compliance. Consistent with SARA s definition of treatment, AQUATECH Systems is a technology "that in whole or in part will result in a permanent and significant decrease in the toxicity, morbidity or volume" of a hazardous waste material. 

We define pollution prevention fairly broadly, in keeping with the actual practices widely utilized by industry. This definition is any cost-effect technique aimed at reducing chemical or energy-related emissions that would subsequently have to be treated. In keeping with the generally voluntary nature of U.S. pollution prevention activities, the double hurdle of technical and economic feasibility are met in a pollution prevention option (Fig. 4). 

This definition manifests itself in the form of the pollution prevention hierarchy shown in Fig. 5. In this hierarchy, safe disposal forms the base of the pyramid, and minimizing the generation of waste at the source is at the peak. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) definition of pollution prevention recognizes actions which encompass the upper three levels in the hierarchy minimize generation to segregate and reuse. The U.S. EPA... 

A definition of each tier in the pollution prevention hierarchy is given below ... 

Quick definition of the cost for end-of-pipe treatment, which subsequently becomes the incentive for more cost-effective pollution prevention solutions. 

Definition and implementation of pollution prevention engineering practices and technologies that improve the business bottom line. 

The EPA s preference for today and the foreseeable future is for businesses to engage in pollution prevention. By their definition, this is defined as the use of materials, processes, or practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollutants or wastes at the source. It includes practices that reduce the use of hazardous and nonhazardous materials, energy, water, or other resources as well as those that protect natural resources through conservation or more efficient use. Of course, most businesses today must reduce or eliminate their wastes to remain competitive. No one can afford to discard valuable raw materials as wastes. 

In fact, effective industrial pollution prevention is definitely better than its cure. The first objective must be reduction in the amount of waste produced, if it cannot be avoided. The second objective is to manage the waste in a suitable way while minimizing the overall burden associated with the waste management system [8]. 

The single most discussed issue of harmonisation must have been and still is the scope of the EU ETS Directive. Despite efforts by the Commission to use in the Directive s scope definition wording extracted from previous legislation (the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive), the desired clarity failed to materialise. Three... 

In the United States, the 1990 PPA was the first major national policy initiative aimed at promoting P2 as a fundamental component of environmental protection efforts. Under Section 6602 (b) of the 1990 PPA, Congress established a national policy that prioritized P2 over other means of reducing pollution. The policy and definitions discussed below are adapted from the USEPA s pollution prevention documents. The policy highlighted the following aspects ... 

Pollution Prevention EPA Statement of Definition EPA/742/F-92/001 National Environmental Publications Information System, US EPA, 1992 4 pp. 

Table 1 General Definition for Commonly Encountered Terms in the Pollution Prevention Literature...

Definition of Waste Reduction and Pollution Prevention Used in this Chapter... 

Figure 1 The waste management hierarchy with shaded boxes indicates elements that are included in the definition of the terms waste reduction and pollution prevention that are used interchangeably throughout this chapter. (Adapted from Refs. 3 and 4.)...

A prerequisite to improve a dyeing process is an adequate definition of the parameters involved. Once the qualitative concept to measure emissions to the environment is established, assessments or measurements of releases should follow. The whole project should be promoted by an early involvement of the woikf< ce by implementing a pollution prevention commitment and training Hogram. With this basis the need for effluent control will be understood and precise instructions given. 

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