Prevention takes priority over cure: A new dimension to toxics release reporting

Journal Article · Wed Jun 02 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Chemical Week; (United States)

OSTI ID:5793952

Kirschner, E

The Environmental Protection Agency's first public report of direct action taken by chemical companies to prevent pollution from entering the environment has placed the industry's performance more directly in the public spotlight. By adding an important new dimension to annual reports of toxic releases under the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), the data reported last week under the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 is intended to encourage the kind of source reduction strategies that are assuming front line position in many companies' environmental engineering efforts. TRI figures released by the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA; Washington) last week indicate that environmental requirements and voluntary programs are, in fact, going beyond the classic approach of end-of-the-pipe treatment and controls to processes for source reduction. CMA, which represents 90% of the U.S. chemical industry, says 54% of its member's emissions were recycled in 1991, while 31% were treated, and 8% burned as energy. Chemical releases, which make up the standard TRI, may account for only 7% of the 1991 waste, but at 868 million lbs it is clear the chemical industry has room to improve.

• OSTI ID: 5793952
• Journal Information: Chemical Week; (United States), Journal Name: Chemical Week; (United States) Vol. 152:21; ISSN CHWKA9; ISSN 0009-272X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320305* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Industrial Waste Management
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
COST
ENERGY RECOVERY
ENGINEERING
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
INDUSTRY
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
POLLUTION SOURCES
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS