ASTM E1609-01

This guide for development and implementation of a pollution prevention program is applicable to any organization or facility that releases materials to any of the three environmental media (air, water, or land) and that wishes to reduce those releases, without using treatment or transferring them to one of the other two media primarily for the purpose of disposal. Incentives for applying this standard of practice include concern for the environment, conservation of natural resources, economic considerations, and current and future regulatory compliance. Effective pollution prevention can also increase the efficiency of operations and use of resources, employee morale, and profitability while reducing liability.

A successful pollution prevention program can save money by reducing waste management costs and raw material purchases, reduce potential emissions and disposal liabilities, protect public health and worker health and safety, and protect the environment. It will also position an organization to compete domestically and internationally through both long-term cost reductions and participation in green marketing opportunities.

1.1 This guide covers guidance on a logical progression of tasks and procedures to be followed in a pollution prevention program to reduce or eliminate the generation of waste, the loss of natural resources, and process emissions through source reduction, reuse, recycling, and reclamation.

1.2 Summary—The basic components of a pollution prevention program should include the following seven activities:

1.2.1 Develop an organizational commitment to pollution prevention (see Section 4).

1.2.2 Establish goals, objectives, and an implementation schedule (see Section 5).

1.2.3 Generate baseline information (see Section 6).

1.2.4 Develop a resource, emissions, and waste measurement and tracking system (see Section 7).

1.2.5 Analyze pollution prevention opportunities (see Section 8).

1.2.6 Prioritize pollution prevention opportunities (see Section 9).

1.2.7 Implement and maintain the progress of a pollution prevention program (see Section 10).

1.3 Organization of Text—This guide is organized based on the activities previously enumerated. Each section of the guide describes the manner in which the specified activity may be conducted to implement a program of pollution prevention at a facility.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.