An Innovative Partnership Approach for Environmental Management and Pollution Prevention

Abstract

This paper discusses an innovative partnership that was formed in the USA between a higher education institution and a regulatory agency to assist small and medium-sized industries begin pollution prevention and waste minimization programmes within their facilities. The partnership targeted two types of industries for its pollution prevention incentives programme. Four on-site assessments were performed within the marine maintenance/ship repair industry and six on-site assessments were provided within the commercial printing industry The project provided these businesses with direct on-site technical consultation on waste reduction, at no cost. The sources and quantities of waste generation at the selected marine maintenance facilities were determined. Current waste management methods and technologies were reviewed and possible alternatives for the reduction or elimination of solid and hazardous waste, wastewater discharges, and air emissions were evaluated. Proposed waste minimization recommendations include loss prevention and good housekeeping, hazardous solvent source reduction, waste segregation, installation of aerosol recovery systems, recycling of available markets, and proper flow measurement of all materials and waste streams. Economic incentives have been addressed for several of the suggested recommendations to encourage facility implementation. Environmental regulations governing waste management and promoting waste minimization were discussed, along with the importance of proper environmental training. This project complemented and supplemented existing pollution prevention programmes by working with the state regulatory agency and industries to serve as an expansion of service at the local level.