Congress passed the Pollution Prevention Act (P2 Act) in 1990, which states that “The Environmental Protection Agency must establish a source reduction program which collects and disseminates information, provides financial assistance to States, and implements the other activities….”

“Source reduction” is defined in the Pollution Prevention Act as any practice which:

• Prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal, minimizes the amount of any hazardous material, pollutant, or contaminant entering any waste stream or otherwise released into the environment (including fugitive emissions); and
• Reduces the risks these compounds, pollutants, or contaminants pose to the environment and to public health.

The term takes into account: process or procedure modifications; equipment or technology modifications; redesign or reformulation of products; replacement of raw materials; and enhancements in housekeeping, maintenance, training or inventory control