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Pollution Prevention (P2)

The Pollution Prevention Act defines pollution prevention as "source reduction," and it defines "source reduction" as any practice which:

• Reduces the amount of any hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant entering any waste stream or otherwise released into the environment (including fugitive emissions) prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal; and
• Reduces the hazards to public health and the environment associated with the release of such substances, pollutants, or contaminants.
  The term includes: equipment or technology modifications, process or procedure modifications, reformulation or redesign of products, substitution of raw materials, and improvements in housekeeping, maintenance, training, or inventory control.

The term does not include any practice which alters the physical, chemical, or biological characteristics or the volume of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant through a process or activity which itself is not integral to and necessary for the production of a product or the providing of a service.

Additionally, the Act includes in the definition of pollution prevention other practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollutants through:

• Increased efficiency in the use of raw materials, energy, water, or other resources, or
• Protection of natural resources by conservation.