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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Pollution prevention in the U.S. Defense Department

Conference ·
OSTI ID:20003248
The US Department of Defense is committed to environmental protection, pollution prevention, and stewardship of natural resources. Pollution prevention is a life-cycle process and systems engineering tool. As such, it applies to all phases of the life-cycle process, and it must be fully integrated into an activity's or organization's thought processes and work habits. A carefully managed and effective pollution prevention program will produce tangible results, including cost and labor-savings. The four pillars of environmental stewardship include compliance, conservation, restoration, and pollution prevention. These pillars are linked by the common goal of preserving the environment. An effective and mature pollution prevention program includes aspects of all the pillars. The primary legal drivers for a Pollution Prevention (P2) Program are the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-know Act (EPCRA), the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA), and the Federal Facilities Compliance Act (FFCA). Several Executive Orders have been signed which, taken together, direct federal agencies to conduct P2 planning, practice source reduction, increase recycling, implement cost effective waste reduction practices, and make sound life-cycle decisions. The federal government mandates pollution prevention programs and specific Department of Defense guidance explains how to apply pollution prevention for defense activities. Implementation of pollution prevention includes planning, education and awareness training, setting specific goals, researching acquisition and life-cycle costing, addressing standards and specifications, and documenting Return on Investment (ROI). The Department of Defense has reported already meeting the 1999 pollution prevention goals. Analysis of available data shows the details of how aggressive pollution prevention goals can be achieved.
Research Organization:
ADI Technology Corp. (US)
OSTI ID:
20003248
Report Number(s):
CONF-990608--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English