Pollution control poses large costs to society.
Environmental regulations are often criticized by industry as too expensive. Regulators are challenged to develop policy that provides strong environmental protection but does not impose an excessive financial burden on industry. In contrast to waste management at the end of the production line, P2 refers to firm activities that target upstream waste, reducing pollution at the source. Prevention has clear environmental benefits including reductions in risk, accumulating toxins, and in the transfer of pollution from strongly regulated media to those with weaker regulations. The success of P2 by some firms demonstrates the potential for firms to reduce pollution while improving profits.