This is a much larger universe than the original TRI, and more difficult to measure. In addition, companies must project pollution prevention activities as well as report performance. According to the Chemical Manufacturers Association, its member companies reported that 93 percent of the byproducts were recycled, recovered for energy or treated in 1992. This number is projected to increase to 95 percent in 1994, further reducing releases to the environment. CMA companies represent 90 percent of US productive capacity for basic chemicals.
Pollution prevention is an idea whose time has come.
The codes are requirements for CMA membership. Source reduction can be as simple as modifying clean-up tables. Ciba Geigy, for example, reduced the frequency of formaldehyde tank cleaning at its St. Gabriel, LA, plant, thus reducing the volume of contaminated wastewater. The company also changed the soap composition, rendering the wastewater non-corrosive, and in the future plans to filter and recycle the wastewater. At a plant in Illinois, Grace developed a drum wash wand that washes the residue from raw material drums directly into the process, where it is converted into product.