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What is Pollution Prevention?

Pollution Prevention (P2) Program

The P2 Hierarchy
p2 hierarchy graphicPollution Prevention is the use of processes, practices, or products that reduce or eliminate the generation of pollutants and wastes or that protect natural resources through conservation or more efficient use.

Rather than treat waste streams after they are generated, pollution prevention focuses on the processes that generate pollution and works toward reducing or eliminating pollution at the source.

What might the Pollution Prevention Program do for my business?
We can help by providing:

  • On-site technical or compliance assistance;
  • Literature searches on pollution prevention subjects as well as information dissemination through conferences, a quarterly newsletter, and speaking engagements;
  • "P2/Finance" training to evaluate a potential project's costs and savings;
  • Training for government and industry groups;
  • Planning assistance for pollution prevention projects.

What's New in the Pollution Prevention Program?

Current activities of the Pollution Prevention Program:

  • Providing on-site assistance with auto salvage and auto repair facilities.
  • Providing outreach and assistance to small business development centers and small business counselors.
  • Establishing further partnerships with business assistance providers.
  • Establishing partnerships within the energy efficiency sector and promoting their services to Maine businesses
  • Assisting a Step-Up company with the implementation of an environmental management system.
  • Targeting three more facilities for EMSD implementation assistance.
  • Conducting weekly P2 Plan inspections at facilities reporting under Maine Toxics Reduction Law.
  • Conducting onsite compliance assistance utilizing Maine's Small Business Compliance Incentive Policy (SBCIP).
  • Maine DEP has completed the legislatively mandated P2 plan for dentists and is now proposing a companion piece of legislation that will require amalgam separators.
  • Continuing to provide assistance to the Green Campus Consortium in their efforts to move towards sustainability.
  • Working in conjunction with the Climate Change Steering Committee on the North Eastern Governor's and Eastern Canadian Premiers initiative to reduce green house gas levels 10% under 1990 levels by 2012.
  • Maine DEP attended three boat shows to encourage the use of low VOC gel coats and resins, acetone alternatives and non-atomizing spray guns and equipment. ME DEP is planning a demonstration/workshop for the boat building and repair sector in the summer of 2003. Last fall, DEP held a successful compliance assistance and pollution prevention training at the Maine Marine Trade Association annual meeting where regulatory staff and mentor corporations spoke on the issues of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Management Systems.
  • Reviewing the state procurement system to identify P2 opportunities as part of the Clean Government initiative and the law which established the Office of Pollution Prevention. Emphasizing GS37 certification for cleaning products as proposed by Massachusetts.
  • Completed a mercury manometer removal from 23 dairy farms. This initiative includes coordinating the replacement of the manometers with an electronic manometer.

What are the functions of the Pollution Prevention Program?

  • Establishing priorities for pollution prevention within the department;
  • Coordinating pollution prevention activities with other agencies and entities within the state, region and nation;
  • Ensuring that department rules, programs, and activities are consistent with the objectives of pollution prevention initiatives;
  • Acting as a public contact and an information clearinghouse on pollution prevention issues;
  • Providing the technical assistance and training to educate the staff, the public and regulated community about pollution prevention;
  • Coordinating Total Quality Environmental Management projects with Maine businesses;
  • Working with the State procurement system to encourage the purchase of products consistent with pollution prevention objectives.

Contact:

Peter Cooke, Program Manager
Phone: 207-791-8101
e-mail: peter.cooke@maine.gov

Department of Environmental Protection
Pollution Prevention Program
17 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0017
FAX 207-287-2814