The Pollution Prevention Act establishes the national policy that pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source whenever feasible. Preventing pollution offers important economic benefits, as pollution never created avoids the need for expensive investments in waste management or cleanup. Pollution prevention is reducing or eliminating waste at the source by modifying production processes, promoting the use of non-toxic or less-toxic substances, implementing conservation techniques, and re-using materials rather than putting them into the waste stream. EPA has a number programs designed to educate manufacturers on industrial processes that prevent pollution by saving energy, encourage environmentally preferable purchasing, and provide technical assistance to state agencies and businesses.

Recommended EPA Web pages

• Pollution Prevention
  Provides general information about P2 practices, the various source reduction programs and initiatives administered by EPA and other organizations, and provides contacts for further information.
• Pollution Prevention Information Clearinghouse (PPIC)
  The PPIC is dedicated to reducing or eliminating industrial pollutants through technology transfer, education, and public awareness.
• The National Waste Minimization Program
  EPA's Waste Minimization Program works to find ways to help individual companies reduce the amount of waste they generate.

Conservation

Energy
Alternative Fuels, Energy Efficiency, Fuel Economy, Hydropower, Renewable Energy, Wind Power

Pollution Prevention Programs

Recycling
Batteries, Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs), Compost, Electronics, Glass, Paper, Plastics, Refrigerant Recycling, Tires, Used Oil

Sustainable Development

Transportation Alternatives
Biking, Ride Sharing, Transportation Control Measures

Voluntary Partnerships

Waste Reduction
Refrigerant Recovery, Source Reduction, Waste Exchanges, Waste Minimization