How are reductions calculated?

Reduction %

A numeric figure that represents the percent change from a facility's base year, to the current reporting year. The calculations account for changes in production. A negative (-) number represents a reduction, a positive (+) number represents an increase.

Example:
If a facility reduced its waste by half, the Reduction % = -50
If a facility increased its releases by a third, the Reduction % = 33

API

The Activity Production Index (API) is used to account for an increase or decrease in a facility's production. The API is a ratio of a facility's report year production to its base year production. By choosing a production unit that directly relates to either the hazardous waste shipped and toxic chemicals used or released, one can track reductions per production unit.

Example:
If a facility cuts it production in half, the API = .5
If a facility doubles its production, the API = 2

Base Year

The year against which the facility's current progress is compared. Hazardous Waste category is the average of 1987 and 1989, Toxic Release category is the average of 1990 and 1991, and Toxic Use category is 1990. The only time the base year would not be these years, is if a facility was not in business during those years, or the EPA adds a new chemical, after these years.

Example:
If a facility opens in the middle of 1996, the Base Year = 1997
If the EPA adds a new chemical in 1999, the Base Year = 2000

Base Year Amount

The number of pounds of hazardous waste shipped, or toxic chemicals used or released, in the base year.

Report Year

The year in which the facility reports. The information reported is for the prior year.

Example:
The 2006 Report is for 2005 information.

Report Year Amount

The amount, in pounds, that a facility reports shipping to the ME DEP, releasing to the EPA and using to MEMA, in the report year.

Adjusted Amount

The Report Year Amount divided by the API. This amount is compared to the base year amount in order to calculate the Reduction %. The Adjusted Amount accounts for the production change from the base year.

2006 goal or Predicted Reduction

A facility that reported in 2004, set a goal or predicted what their reduction would be for 2006. Comparing the predicted reduction to the actual Reduction % reported in 2006, demonstrates if the facility met their reduction goal.