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Pollution Prevention Techniques

Pollution prevention occurs when waste is reduced or eliminated at the main source before it reaches the environment. Another way to prevent pollution is to use greener substances and conserve natural resources. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed strategies to assist in preventing pollution.

  1. Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

    • This pollution-prevention process provides support for designing and redesigning products and processes associated with manufacturing. This will encourage companies to search for alternatives for any harmful chemicals that they currently use that pollute the environment. This technique also promotes technologies and work practices that will prevent the production of greenhouse gases. The EPA will monitor and offer assistance to promote this process and help companies search for and obtain materials and chemicals necessary to make the redesign possible.

    Reduce Hazardous Materials Usage

    • This technique educates companies on the effects of hazardous materials on the environment. The EPA will explain how chemicals, used over time, will have a negative effect on the life cycle of humans and animals that live in the environments being polluted every day. Information will be shared based on the newest green chemicals and engineering designs available to manufacturing companies. The agency will encourage and guide businesses, government offices and consumers on the reduction of hazardous materials and the chemicals that will be replacing them, or could replace them if the companies agree to the redesign. Information will also be available for consumers when they are purchasing cleaning chemicals that may contain ingredients harmful to the environment and to their own health.

    Promote Economic Benefits

    • This technique aims to show business owners, government officials and consumers how the prevention of pollution will save money in the long run while promoting more green jobs and protecting the workers' health. Consumers who are interested in going green will learn that more products will be available to them as more and more companies respond to the EPA initiative. The technique will also protect natural resources by eliminating harmful chemicals. The EPA will assist businesses with green engineering processes, green building plans and green chemistry procedures. The EPA's goal is to help businesses find programs at state and federal levels that provide assistance in covering the cost of the design or redesign.

    Pollution Prevention for Homeowners

    • Homeowners can contribute to pollution prevention by following a few key steps when purchasing items or throwing away trash. Consumers should take a step back and look at their purchasing habits. Chances are they regularly purchase many items that are not necessary or environmental friendly. Consumers should develop a recycling system with proper ways to get rid of trash. They should replace disposable items with those that can be used more than once, thus reducing the amount of trash thrown away by a single person every day. Every time a single item is reused, the need for additional manufacturing and energy is reduced. Purchase items of high quality so they won't need to be replaced as early, and buy green chemicals that don't include any harmful ingredients.

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