Pollution Prevention for Business (original) (raw)

An effective pollution prevention program involves gathering a team of knowledgeable employees together, documenting how the business processes REALLY work, then taking the time to uncover where losses occur and what the actual costs are. Only then can staff and employees effectively work to minimize or eliminate losses that cost you money and have negative environmental impacts. The same tools that are utilized for Total Quality Management (TQM) programs or environmental management systems work well for Pollution Prevention (or "P2" for short) programs.

In setting goals, one of the keys is to understand that as a society, we continue to learn what our impacts are need laws and regulations to control and remediate those impacts. The best strategy is to think "closed-loop" - to have as the ultimate goal to use as much of the raw material you purchase to make as much product as possible and then recycle any residues. One may never reach the goal but the effort yields much more than saving money and resources.

Hospitals and Health Care

Skilled Nursing Facilities
Resources for Hospitals including Connecticut Hospital Environmental Roundtable (CHER)

Resources for the Metal Finishing Industry

Metal Finishing P2Rx Topic HubTMIntended as a quick guide to essential pollution prevention information on metal finishing. Also includes online resources.
Metal Finishing Guide (NEWMOA)- Overview of common metal finishing techniques, and in-depth discussions of pollution prevention practices and alternative methods of metal disposition.

Other Pollution Prevention Resources for Businesses

Hazardous Waste Management Online Training Course. A free training course to assist businesses in meeting the initial and annual training requirements for hazardous waste generators under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
EPA Pollution Prevention (P2) - Comprehensive guide to P2 information on many topics from energy to waste minimization.
Information on climate change in CT, actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the CT Climate Change Action Plan.
CONNSTEP - Helps Connecticut manufacturers apply advanced manufacturing and management techniques to become more competitive, supporting the growth of Connecticut's economy.
Environmental Best Management Practices Guide for Small Businesses - CT DEP publication summarizes best management practices (BMPs) for storm water, pesticides and fertilizers, and waste in a four page brochure.
Northeast Waste Management Officials Association (NEWMOA), innovative P2 Technology profiles on:
- Using Alternative Cleaners in Enclosed Spray Gun Washers
- Computer-to-Plate Lithographic Printing
- Closed Loop Vapor Degreasing
- Closed-Loop Aqueous Cleaning and
- Trivalent Chromium Replacements for Hexavalent Chromium Plating
The Toxics Use Reduction Institute promotes the development and diffusion of cleaner technologies that use fewer resources and generate less waste than traditional technologies.
P2GEMS is an internet search tool for facility planners, engineers and managers who are looking for technical, process and materials management information on the web.
The Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PPRC) is a source of high quality pollution prevention information. PPRC works with business, government, non-government organizations, and other sectors to promote environmental protection through pollution prevention. Includes, Topic HubsTM which are topic-specific guides to resources about a sector (e.g. metal finishing, printing, auto body.)
North Carolina Pollution Prevention Web Site - Has many case studies, industry-specific pollution prevention techniques, and more.
The Chemical Strategies Partnership (CSP) works with manufacturing companies to help redefine the way they purchase and manage their chemicals. In this new model, manufacturers shift away from a traditional supplier relationship to a strategic alliance with a chemical service provider. Instead of purchasing chemicals, the manufacturer purchases chemical services: assistance in purchasing, managing, and tracking chemicals. Results to date indicate that this service model has proven to achieve resource efficiency, process innovation, and significant cost savings.
TechSolve is a membership-based organization that helps manufacturers achieve their goals. They accomplish this by providing a full-range of affordable, yet innovative services that utilize best practices, state-of-the-art technologies and highly effective processes.
The Natural Step - an international organization that uses a science-based, systems framework to help organizations and communities understand and move toward sustainability.

Note: every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in the fact sheets and documents is up-to-date, but there may have been changes in the programs since publication. Please consult with the appropriate DEEP staff listed in the fact sheets for specific program updates.

Content Last Updated October 2022