How your business can prevent pollution

The 7 Pollution Prevention Techniques [PDF - 325 KB]

Pollution prevention (P2) is the most effective way to decrease your environmental impact because it treats potential issues rather than fix them after-the-fact. The 7 main techniques for preventing pollution described below can help your business become more efficient, save money and become a safer place for your employees.

Techniques

Substituting materials or feedstock: Replacing the substances you use with more environmentally-friendly alternatives
Redesigning or reformulating products: Analyzing your product's life cycle and either redesigning or reformulating it to prevent pollution at any or all stages of its life
Changing equipment or processes: Using new equipment or processes, or altering existing equipment or processes to improve efficiency, reduce or eliminate pollution, and reduce material, water or energy use
Preventing spills and leaks: Limiting spills and leaks from happening in the first place, and having measures in place to limit the damage if there is a spill or leak
Changing inventory management and purchasing practices: Having strategies in place to both: reduce the amount of stock you have to throw out because it is expired, damaged or no longer needed; and ensure you take the environment into account when buying goods
Reusing, recycling and recovering on-site: Using your waste and waste by-products instead throwing them away (often at a cost)
Improving operating practices and providing training: Using best practices and training to minimize waste and increase efficiency

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Date modified:: 2023-01-23

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How your business can prevent pollution

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