Jump to main content.

Region 5 Waste Minimization

What is Waste Minimization?

Waste Minimization is a waste management approach that focuses on reducing the amount and toxicity of hazardous waste generated. In addition to hazardous wastes regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), EPA encourages the minimization of all wastes. Waste minimization techniques focus on preventing waste from ever being created, otherwise known as source reduction, and recycling. These techniques can be practiced at several stages in most waste generating processes, but require careful planning, creative problem solving, changes in attitude, sometimes capital investment, and a genuine commitment.

EPA is committed to reducing the presence of the most persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals (PBTs) in industrial hazardous wastes by 25 percent by the year 2000 and 50 percent by the year 2005. It is also important that these priority chemicals are not transferred from one environmental media to another (for example, from air to water).

EPA's Waste Minimization Program works with industrial organizations, government agencies, and communities to find ways to help individual companies reduce the amount of waste they generate, particularly if the wastes contain one or more Waste Minimization Priority Chemicals.

Why is Waste Minimization Important?

Waste minimization is important because it helps protect the environment and it makes good business sense! In fact, businesses can simultaneously manage both business and environmental objectives by focusing on waste minimization. For example, companies have discovered that waste minimization:

Who Should Practice Waste Minimization?

All hazardous waste generators should practice waste minimization because it makes good businesses sense. However, RCRA, as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, specifically requires Large Quantity Generators of hazardous waste to certify, when they sign their manifests, that they have a program in place to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste generated to the extent economically practical. Small Quantity Generators are required to certify, when they sign their manifests, that they have made a good faith effort to reduce the volume and toxicity of the hazardous wastes they generate. Additionally, all large-quantity hazardous waste generators must report biennially on waste minimization activities.

For more information, please contact:

Janet Haff
Waste Minimization Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 5 (DW-8J)
77 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL  60604
(312) 353-7923
haff.janet@epa.gov

Related EPA programs
Region 5 Pollution Prevention Program
Includes information on P2 technical assistance and grants program, P2 Education Toolbox, and links to the best P2 resources at the EPA and in your state.

Region 5 Solid Waste Program
The Solid Waste program works closely with its partner states and tribes to promote the prevention, reuse and recycling of non-hazardous solid waste. Resources include technical and funding assistance, links to state programs, and how to recycle common household items.

Waste Minimization National Program
EPA’s gateway to current waste minimization programs and initiatives, technical assistance, and information resources.

Envirosense
Provides pollution prevention, compliance assurance, and enforcement information, including a national database of pollution prevention products and services, and environmental profiles of industrial sectors.

Top of page

 

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.