GOAL:
Adopt pollution prevention as the preferred management approach for protecting public health and the environment.

OBJECTIVE:
To use processes, behaviors, or products that reduce or eliminate the generation of pollutants and wastes.

STATUS & TRENDS:
Traditional regulatory efforts have emphasized "end-of-pipe" compliance with regulations. As a result, both the regulatory agencies and the regulated community have focussed on developing and implementing treatment and control technologies rather than on maximizing opportunities for source reduction and pollution prevention. However, some notable regulatory efforts have focused on pollution prevention. For example, lead has been eliminated from paint and solder, and utility rate setting has supported energy conservation programs. Recent state and federal legislation has formally adopted a pollution prevention philosophy that encourages prevention and reduction of risk at the source. Examples of existing on-going efforts which are based on this philo sophy include developing mass transit, protecting aquifers, and reducing packaging. A $10 million state loan fund for businesses pollution prevention activities has also been established. The EPA's 33/50 Project aimed at large industrial emitters of hazardus chemicals was recently initiated to gain voluntary industry commitments to reduce emissions of 17 toxic chemicals. The Connecticut Technical Assistance Program provides financial and technical assistance to industry. A comprehensive dedicated effort is now needed to strengthen and accelerate promotion of multi-media pollution prevention. This effort will require the cooperation of government, business and industry, and the public to achieve a pollution prevention ethic.

STRATEGIES:

1. Continue to develop, implement, and improve multi-media pollution prevention initiatives in government and private sectors, and regulatory programs.
2. Develop an environmental management system based on a complete understanding of pollution costs in terms of actual social, economic and environmental impacts.
3. Expand pollution prevention technical and financial assistance efforts for select sources.
4. Promote pollution prevention through the development and dissemination of source specific guidance materials, case studies, and conferences.
5. Work in cooperation with industry to encourage transfer of program successes and new technology.
6. Develop and implement pollution prevention strategies in government operations and procurement procedures.
7. Establish economic and regulatory incentives for pollution prevention.
8. Develop methods to measure the effectiveness of pollution prevention activities.
9. Develop an awards program for innovative and progressive pollution prevention efforts.
10. Heighten awareness on the public's role and their responsibility as individuals to participatepollution prevention in the home and workplace through consumer choices, use of mass transportation and reduced waste generation.
11. Promote the development of alternatives that facilitate pollution prevention.
12. Promote economic and other incentives for industries to develop and manufacture pollution prevention systems and environmentally sound products.