Pollution prevention provides a solution. It is an integral part of fostering sustainable development worldwide. Pollution prevention is practiced in a variety of ways including, using raw materials, water, energy and other resources more efficiently, substituting less harmful substances for hazardous ones, eliminating toxic substances from the production process and by redesigning processes and products. By reducing the use of hazardous substances, and by operating more efficiently we protect human health, strengthen our economic well-being, and preserve the environment. This international protocol is a call for action on the part of all signatory countries to implement pollution prevention.
Pollution prevention achieves the twin goals of resource conservation and environmental protection.
It is a key element of environmentally sustainable economic development. Pollution prevention avoids or minimizes the creation of pollutants and waste in the first place. Other approaches such as control, treatment and recycling are important elements of any environmental protection effort. However, these waste management practices are not as desirable as preventing waste before it occursand should be considered after prevention efforts have been exhausted. Furthermore, waste disposal costs decrease.