United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (Mail Code 7409) EPA/242-F-93-0012 Fall 1993___________________________________________________ POLLUTION PREVENTION INCENTIVES FOR STATES WHAT IS POLLUTION PREVENTION? Pollution prevention is the use of procedures, practices, or processes that reduce or eliminate the generation of pollutants and waste at the source. Examples within the manufacturing sector include input substitution or modification, product reformulation, process modifications, improved housekeeping, and on-site closed-loop recycling. Further, pollution prevention includes other practices that reduce or eliminate pollutants through: * Increased efficiency in the use of raw materials energy, water, or other resources * Protection of natural resources by conservation The passage of the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 began a new era of environmental protection policy for the United States. After years of applying "end-of-pipe" controls to pollution after generation, our focus has now shifted to the initial stages of production. We encourage all facilities to apply techniques that prevent pollution at the source. The Act established a hierarchy of preferred environmental management practices indicating that pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source whenever possible. Pollution that cannot be prevented should be recycled in an environmentally sound manner. Where there are no feasible prevention or recycling opportunities, treatment/disposal should be used as a last resort. EPA is charged with promoting pollution prevention as the preferred approach to protecting the environment and reducing environmental risks. ============================================================ WHAT IS THE POLLUTION PREVENTION INCENTIVES FOR STATES GRANT PROGRAM? The Pollution Prevention Incentives for States (PPIS) grant program provides matching funds to states to support pollution prevention activities and develop state programs. EPA designed the grant program to give the states flexibility to address local needs. Because states have closer, more direct contact with industry and hence are more aware of local needs, EPA believes that state-based environmental programs can make a unique contribution to pollution prevention. Since the grant program began in 1989, almost every state has established a pollution prevention program. Over half of the states have enacted pollution prevention laws, many of which provide long-term funding for pollution prevention activities. Now that the states have developed basic capabilities, EPA has shifted responsibility for implementing the grant program from Headquarters to the Regions. This shift gives the Regions flexibility to focus resources on regional priorities. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING? State agencies (including state universities) are the primary recipients of PPIS funding. The District of Columbia, federally-recognized Indian tribes, territories and possessions of the United States are also eligible for funding. Local governments, private universities, private non-profits, and individuals are not eligible for funding by themselves. These groups are encouraged, however, to work with existing pollution prevention programs to coordinate activities. Local governments and private groups may receive funding by teaming-up with state programs. Contact the appropriate EPA Regional Pollution Prevention Coordinator listed in the at the end of this document for more information. ============================================================ *** PPIS OBJECTIVES *** -- To build state pollution prevention capabilities. -- To test, at the state level, innovative pollution prevention approaches and methodologies. -- To foster coordination and exchange of information between federal agencies, state and local governments, and the private sector. -- To target high-risk environmental problems in sectors but traditionally addressed by EPA, such as agriculture, energy, and transportation. -- To leverage EPA resources through seed money and well-targeted grants. ============================================================ WHAT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES DO PPIS GRANTS SUPPORT? PPIS supports numerous activities to promote the pollution prevention ethic. Many grant recipients focus resources in the following areas: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Technical Assistance to help industry identify pollution prevention opportunities. Many programs offer free, confidential, non-regulatory, on-site pollution and waste assessments; telephone assistance over a hotline; or referral to industry-specific publications. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Outreach and Education targeted to industry, consumers, and schools. Recipients may develop industry-specific fact sheets, videos, or curricula; provide an information clearinghouse on pollution prevention; or organize conferences and give presentations. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Technical Training in source reduction techniques for businesses, students and government officials. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Regulatory Integration of pollution prevention into all environmental regulations to minimize the transfer of pollutants from one environmental medium (air, land, or water) to another. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Legislation and Infrastructure to ensure long-term state support for pollution prevention activities. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Demonstration Projects that test innovative pollution prevention approaches and methodologies. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Awards and Recognition of companies for voluntary pollution prevention activities and achievements. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ============================================================ WHAT ISSUES DO GRANT APPLICATIONS NEED TO ADDRESS? * State Pollution Prevention Capabilities: Proposals should seek to build state pollution prevention capabilities or test, at the state level, innovative prevention approaches and methodologies. * Cross-Media Transfer of Pollutants: Applicants should describe how the proposed activity will minimize the transfer of pollutants from one environmental medium (air, land, water) to another. * State Pollution Prevention Goals/Local Needs: Applicants should highlight state pollution prevention goals and identify populations that are targeted for outreach. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their goals in light of EPA's Pollution Prevention Strategy and support participation in EPA voluntary programs (such as the Green Lights or the 33/50 programs). * Integration with Other State Pollution Prevention Activities:Applicants should describe how the proposed activity will fit with other pollution prevention activities already underway in the state. * Measures of Success: Applicants should specify how they plan to measure progress reducing pollution. * Long-Term Funding Mechanisms: Proposals should identify plans for implementing a multimedia pollution prevention program beyond the initial funding period. ============================================================ WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO APPLY FOR A GRANT? To receive an application and instructions, eligible applicants should contact the appropriate EPA Regional Pollution Prevention Coordinator listed at the end of this document. WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION? Please contact the appropriate EPA Regional Pollution Prevention Coordinator listed at the end of this document. ============================================================ *** SAVING MONEY-REDUCING WASTE *** Tennessee is just one of many states that offers an extensive technical assistance program to businesses. Since 1989, Tennessee Waste Reduction Assistance Program's (WRAP) pollution prevention experts have performed over 200 on-site assessments for companies in a variety of industries. Companies found that reducing waste led to savings in disposal, raw materials, labor, and utilities costs. In addition, companies increased revenue by selling recyclable goods. A follow-up study of 31 companies that received assistance revealed that, on average, companies saved $41,500 per year by adopting the recommendations of WRAP experts. These recommendations resulted in waste reductions of: * 1.3 million pounds of hazardous waste * 8.8 million pounds solid waste * 91,000 gallons per day waste water * 87,000 gallons per day water consumption ============================================================ THE POLLUTION PREVENTION ACT OF 1990 The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 established a new environmental policy for the United States and instructed EPA to build the infrastructure necessary to support this new policy. Specifically, the Act requires EPA to develop a pollution prevention strategy, establish a grant program and source reduction clearinghouse, and collect data on the reduction of release of toxic chemicals. National Policy: Pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source whenever feasible. Pollution that cannot be prevented should be recycled in an environmentally safe manner. Pollution that cannot be prevented or recycled should be treated in an environmentally safe manner. Disposal or other release into the environment should be employed only as a last resort and should be conducted in an environmentally safe manner. EPA Pollution Prevention Strategy: Outlines the procedures to be undertaken by EPA to promote source reduction. Some features include: review of Agency programs to determine impact on source reduction; coordination of source reduction activities; and identification of barriers and incentives to source reduction. Grant Program: Provides funds for state programs so that they may provide technical assistance and training to businesses. Programs may target information to businesses for whom lack of information is an impediment to source reduction. Source Reduction Clearinghouse: Serves as a center for source reduction technology transfer. It is used to collect and compile information from states funded by pollution prevention grants. Source Reduction Data Collection: Requires those already submitting annual toxic chemical release reports to include source reduction and recycling progress in their reports. ============================================================ NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE OF STATE POLLUTION PREVENTION PROGRAMS What is the National Roundtable of State Pollution Prevention Programs (NRSPPP)? NRSPPP is a non-profit organization that provides a national forum promoting the development, implementation, and evaluation of efforts to avoid, eliminate, or reduce waste or pollution generation. Who are Roundtable members? * Federal, state, and local government agencies * Businesses * Industry and trade associations * Environmental organizations What benefits does Roundtable membership provide? * Inclusion in a nationally recognized organization providing leadership in pollution prevention * Influence over the development of national environmental policy to promote prevention * Access to the most up-to-date network of state and local pollution prevention programs * Interaction with other program, industrial, environmental, and governmental representatives * Access to information on legislative/regulatory developments, technical assistance, and publications * Semi-annual conferences For more information contact: NRSPPP Executive Director P.O. Box 7219 Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 495-9278 ============================================================ PPITS... What is PPITS? PPITS--The Pollution Prevention Information Tracking System--is a user-friendly data base that houses the most up-to-date information on state grants awarded by EPA's Pollution Prevention Division. Currently, the data base includes information on the Source Reduction and Recycling and Technical Assistance (SRRTA), Pollution Prevention Incentives for States (PPIS), and the RCRA Integrated Training and Technical Assistance (RITTA) grants. PPITS stores information from initial grant proposals and is continually updated by the with new information from progress reports. PPITS is maintained and updated by the Pollution Prevention Division at EPA Headquarters. Future Direction: In the future, the Pollution Prevention Division, working with the Office of Research and Development, plans on linking PPITS with EPA's Pollution Prevention Clearinghouse to enable all interested individuals to access current state program information. For Further Information Contact: Lena Hann U.S. EPA Office of Pollution Prevention Mail Code 7409 Washington, D.C. 20460 (202) 260-2237 REGION 1 CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT Pollution Prevention Coordinator (PAS) JFK Federal Building Room 2203 Boston, MA 02203 (617) 565-1155 REGION 2 NJ, NY, PR, VI Pollution Prevention Coordinator (2-PPIB-OPM) 26 Federal Plaza New York, NY 10278 (212) 264-1925 REGION 3 DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV Pollution Prevention Coordinator (3ES43) 841 Chestnut Building Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 597-0765 REGION 4 AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN Pollution Prevention Coordinator 345 Courtland Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30365 (404) 347-7109 REGION 5 IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI Pollution Prevention Coordinator (ME-19J) 77 West Jackson Boulevard Chicago, IL 60604-3590 (312) 353-3387 REGION 6 AR, LA, NM, OK, TX Pollution Prevention Coordinator (6M-PP) 1445 Ross Avenue 12th Floor, Suite 1200 Dallas, TX 75202 (214) 655-6525 REGION 7 IA, KS, MO, NE Pollution Prevention Coordinator 726 Minnesota Avenue Kansas City, KS 66101 (913) 551-7315 REGION 8 CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY Pollution Prevention Coordinator (8PM-SIPO) 999 18th Street, Suite 500 Denver, CO 80202-2405 (303) 293-1471 REGION 9 AS, AZ, CA, CN, MI, GU, HI, NV, RP Pollution Prevention Coordinator (H-1-B) 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 744-2190 REGION 10 AK, ID, OR, WA Pollution Prevention Coordinator 1200 Sixth Avenue Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 553-8579