TRI Pollution Prevention 

Reporting Tipsheet

To find out if your facility is required to submit a TRI report, go to www.epa.gov/tri

Tell us your story

Don’t forget the details! Detailed descriptions help communities better understand 

your pollution prevention activities. You may want to consider the topics/questions 

listed below when preparing to complete the optional P2 section of your TRI report 

(Form R, Section 8.11).

See page 2 

for examples!

Give yourself some credit!

Report your pollution prevention (P2) achievements through EPA’s Toxics 

Release Inventory (TRI) Program. Section 8.11 of your annual TRI report 

invites you to describe your P2 activities, as well as recycling, energy 

recovery or treatment activities related to the chemicals at your facility. Take 

this opportunity to highlight your company’s commitment to reducing the 

release of toxic chemicals in your neighborhood.

Feel free to use this space for notes or to share information internally.

Do not submit this sheet to EPA.

➤ Which chemical(s) did you target for P2 activities?

➤ What type(s) of P2 activities or technologies did 

you adopt and why?

➤ Which processes and products were affected?

➤ Did you employ any safer chemical alternatives?

➤ What are the environmental benefits (e.g., 

realized or expected results)? 

➤ Did your company attain other benefits (e.g., 

cost savings, improved product quality, energy 

savings)?

➤ Did an outside organization provide assistance?

➤ Do you have any updates on P2 activities 

implemented in prior years?

➤ Are there any webpages with more information?
See what others are doing*

EPA promotes P2 efforts by sharing your stories on our website (www.epa.gov/tri/p2) 

and featuring examples in other publications, including EPA’s annual TRI National Analysis 

(www.epa.gov/tri). Share your success and demonstrate your environmental stewardship!

BAE Systems reduced its xylene and zinc releases in its Southeast Shipyard Alabama 

facility by implementing new pollution prevention and waste minimization procedures 

and policies for its surface coating activities. The facility established a materials 

management program that tracks the usage and disposal of all hazardous and nonhazardous substances. 

All coatings are inventoried quarterly and properly labeled for tracking which allows for monitoring shelf life 

and minimizes over-stocking. Purchasing is now centralized and done in a manner that identifies possible 

nonhazardous alternatives and orders the smallest quantities possible to avoid waste. The facility is also now 

training all of its employees on the proper handling of hazardous and nonhazardous wastes to prevent mixing.

Xerox implemented a solvent recovery system for its methyl isobutyl ketone wastes 

in its Webster, New York manufacturing facility. Prior to diverting the waste to the 

recovery system, it was shipped offsite and combusted for energy. The reclaimed 

solvents are used for cleaning certain process equipment and in support of research and 

development projects. In 2011, the facility recovered 45 percent of its methyl isobutyl 

ketone waste and plans to increase this amount to as much as 70 percent in the future. 

The recovered solvent saves the facility nearly $20 per gallon when compared to the cost 

of virgin solvent. The measure reduced the amount of virgin solvent purchased by the 

facility and the amount it spent on solvents by about 50 percent.

 “TRI offers a unique opportunity to showcase your commitment to go above 

and beyond compliance by deploying the powerful tools of green chemistry, 

green engineering and other green practices. By completing the optional P2 

section on your TRI reports, you will help all of us—industry, EPA, and the 

public—work together to implement sustainable development.”

— Dr. Robert Peoples

Former Director of the American Chemical Society's Green Chemistry Institute;

Executive Director, Carpet America Recovery Effort, 

and President, Environmental Impact Group, Inc.

Pollution Prevention Achievements

To find out more about P2 opportunities, go to www.epa.gov/p2

*This content is for informational purposes only. The EPA does not endorse any company, product or service.