13
Pollution Prevention
Planning
INTRODUCTION
One method of reducing use or releases is through requirements that companies
perform pollution prevention (P2) plans and set goals for reducing use or releases.
Although the details included in a P2 plan vary from state to state, most plans contain the following basic information:
1. Baseline inventory: either an inventory of chemical use or releases or an
assessment of the basic processes that use toxic chemicals
2. Reduction opportunity assessment: identification of various opportunities to reduce the use or release of toxic chemicals and a cost-benefit analysis
3. Goal setting: commitment to reduce toxic use or release; can be in the form
of a percentage reduction of toxic chemical use/release or specification of
individual projects that will be implemented
4. Progress reports: documenting what measures have been implemented to
meet the goals in the plan
The following is a review of how several state programs require or encourage
facilities to prepare and implement a P2 plan.
MASSACHUSETTS TOXICS USE REDUCTION ACT
The Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) (1989) requires that facilities that use large quantities of toxic chemicals prepare a toxic use reduction plan
designed to reduce their wastes and use of toxic chemicals.
A toxics use reduction (TUR) plan must evaluate the technical and economic
impacts of toxic use reduction opportunities and identify which measures, if any,
the facility will implement. Essential elements of a TUR plan include a corporate
TUR policy statement, an assessment of which chemicals are used, how much is
used and what quantities are generated as waste, a list of available TUR options
and evaluations of those that appear to be technically and economically feasible,
and a description and implementation schedule for the options that will be pursued
(Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection [MassDEP] 2009a).
Although the facility is not obligated to submit the entire plan to the MassDEP,
it is required to be approved by a state-certified TUR planner and a summary of
197
Pollution Prevention
Planning
INTRODUCTION
One method of reducing use or releases is through requirements that companies
perform pollution prevention (P2) plans and set goals for reducing use or releases.
Although the details included in a P2 plan vary from state to state, most plans contain the following basic information:
1. Baseline inventory: either an inventory of chemical use or releases or an
assessment of the basic processes that use toxic chemicals
2. Reduction opportunity assessment: identification of various opportunities to reduce the use or release of toxic chemicals and a cost-benefit analysis
3. Goal setting: commitment to reduce toxic use or release; can be in the form
of a percentage reduction of toxic chemical use/release or specification of
individual projects that will be implemented
4. Progress reports: documenting what measures have been implemented to
meet the goals in the plan
The following is a review of how several state programs require or encourage
facilities to prepare and implement a P2 plan.
MASSACHUSETTS TOXICS USE REDUCTION ACT
The Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) (1989) requires that facilities that use large quantities of toxic chemicals prepare a toxic use reduction plan
designed to reduce their wastes and use of toxic chemicals.
A toxics use reduction (TUR) plan must evaluate the technical and economic
impacts of toxic use reduction opportunities and identify which measures, if any,
the facility will implement. Essential elements of a TUR plan include a corporate
TUR policy statement, an assessment of which chemicals are used, how much is
used and what quantities are generated as waste, a list of available TUR options
and evaluations of those that appear to be technically and economically feasible,
and a description and implementation schedule for the options that will be pursued
(Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection [MassDEP] 2009a).
Although the facility is not obligated to submit the entire plan to the MassDEP,
it is required to be approved by a state-certified TUR planner and a summary of
197