Abstract
Pollution prevention is an approach for generating less waste using fewer toxic chemicals while conserving water and energy. Even though pollution prevention practices have been encouraged for over thirty years, many smaller businesses have not considered or adopted such techniques. This study examines the effect of a community-based approach designed to emphasize the benefits to the health and economic well-being of urban communities when source reduction practices are implemented by businesses in the community. Partnering with existing community groups in Newark and Jersey City, NJ, technical assistance was provided to small and medium-sized businesses under grant funding from Region 2 of the US Environmental Protection Agency. In this research, 32 small and medium-sized businesses were evaluated for source reduction opportunities and implementation plans were drawn up. After these businesses implemented operational changes, emission and cost savings were determined and reported back to respective small business owners as well as to the communities during community meetings designed to encourage additional participation. Based on 32 case studies, several measurable benefits were achieved, including the yearly saving of 932 pounds of hazardous waste, 3917 pounds of non-hazardous waste, 13.62 metric tons of carbon equivalent (MTCE) of greenhouse gases and $5335 USD. The initial findings suggest that community-based programs such as this can be beneficial but must be sustained over a period of time. One issue that was repeatedly observed, and is likely widely believed, is the concern of small business operators that cooperation with any group funded by a government program may lead to the assessment of fines or penalties for environmental violations. This concern limits the willingness of many smaller businesses to participate. The findings of this study suggest that a sustained community-based program may overcome that concern through demonstration of the benefit to the business and the community, and through credibility building achieved by regular community reporting and the absence of official intervention.
Highlights
Pollution prevention (P2) is the process of reducing or eliminating the use of hazardous or toxic materials at the source instead of managing the waste at the end of the product life cycle [1,2]
This research contributed to a recurring annual reduction of 932 pounds of hazardous materials from 32 small businesses in the two communities
This paper describes the technical assistance program entitled: “A Community
Summary
Pollution prevention (P2) is the process of reducing or eliminating the use of hazardous or toxic materials at the source instead of managing the waste at the end of the product life cycle [1,2]. P2 has several advantages over recycling and reuse as it will prevent pollution from being created and emitted to the environment [1,2]. Most waste management attempts are focused on the middle of this hierarchy, ranging from treatment to recycling, even though source reduction, termed P2 [4], can be seen as the most preferred option. The P2 approach can be accomplished by instituting process m that result in reductions in wastes, costs, and use of energy and water. If a lo cycle view is used, changing the nature of the product or reducing the amoun
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