PPCI (P2/CI) defined
Pollution prevention is generally defined as the use of processes, practices, materials, products or energy that avoid or minimize the creation of pollutants or wastes at the source.
CASA also identifies an opportunity to continuously improve air quality by minimizing the use of polluting processes, practices, materials and products.
Pollution prevention approaches generally focus on the upper half of the environmental management hierarchy illustrated
above. The focus shifts from prevention to control with movement down the pyramid.
Pollution prevention techniques and practices focus on:
- Substances of concern
- Materials and feedstock substitution
- Operating efficiencies
- On-site reuse and recycling
- Training
- Purchasing practices
- Product design
- Equipment modifications
- Product reformulation
- Process changes
- Clean production
- Avoidance of cross-media transfer of pollutants or waste
- Life-cycle assessment
The overriding goal of preventing pollution is to eliminate the causes rather than having to correct the problems that pollution creates. Pollution prevention means avoiding or minimizing the use of toxic chemicals, improving efficiency, and reducing waste and emissions by changing processes, practices and materials.
Instead of cleaning up or collecting emissions and wastes after they’ve been produced, we simply don’t generate them in the first place.
The notion of continuous improvement recognizes that ongoing adjustments will be needed to protect the environment and take advantage of innovative and creative solutions. By twinning pollution prevention and continuous improvement, we can take a more integrated approach and apply a broader range of environmental protection tools.