If a chemical has been identified as toxic to the environment and a less harmful substance is used instead, pollution may be prevented. By the same token, your conscientious selection of products for the home can prevent pollution. During the industrial revolution, few people envisioned what an enormous collective effect we would have on the global environment. We chose first to treat the obvious effects of pollution, not the sources. Many other ideas are available from EPA, environmental groups, and trade associations.
Many states also have pollution prevention offices with information available to the public.