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Pollution Prevention Can Pay Big Dividends

Release Date: 9/14/2001
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith 215-814-5543

Contact Bonnie Smith 215-814-5543
PHILADELPHIA – Whether you are a small business owner, a corporate leader,
a student, or a senior citizen, EPA encourages everyone to make pollution prevention a part of daily life and work.

From September 17-21, join Americans across the country celebrating Pollution Prevention Week. Pollution prevention saves money and reduces pollution. Some things you can do include having your furnace tuned annually, because inefficient heating systems can waste 20 percent or more energy. Turn down your thermostats, particularly when you’re asleep or away. Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient fluorescent ones. Although they are more expensive they can last ten times longer. When shopping look for products with Energy Star logo.

Businesses, large and small, can voluntarily join EPA’s project XL – which stands for excellence in leadership – a program that gives regulatory flexibility to help companies compete in an international marketplace while reducing pollution levels.

Check out for training, tips, and many innovative EPA programs that you can join voluntarily to prevent pollution at home, in the garden, at your office, for businesses and schools.

Twenty years ago, waste minimization was EPA’s main pollution prevention focus. Then, prevention was largely limited to a few specific projects. By the late 1980s, the prevention concept was spreading and by 1990, pollution prevention was being enacted into law.

Now, following the passage of national legislation EPA encourages prevention approaches through regulations, permits, technical assistance, advice, compliance and enforcement.

Americans have embraced the idea. Hundreds of companies are involved pollution prevention projects that save them money and reduce pollution. Everyone can be involved prevent pollution.