One approach of this project could be to analyze what impact chemical use reporting had on the test companies that reported voluntarily over the next year, and then build the program on those lessons. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 defines pollution prevention as reducing pollution at the source including in-process recycling. Source reduction can allow for the greatest and fastest gains in environmental protection by avoiding the generation of waste and emissions. It can also help make the regulatory system more efficient and reduce the need for environmental regulation. Pollution prevention efforts, around the country have helped industry lower their operational and environmental compliance costs, making it attractive to both business and the environmental community, and making the adoption of environmentally-friendly alternatives more likely.
Pollution prevention can also reduce or eliminate long-term liabilities and cleanup costs.