Pollution Prevention And Recycling Program

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Pollution Prevention And Recycling Program

This Program works with business and industry across the state of North Dakota to minimize waste generation and provide innovative waste management practices. Another goal is to present information on recycling issues with local governments and to provide assistance in starting recycling programs.

The Pollution Prevention Program spans the entire Environmental Health Section.

Contact:

Adrian Benz
Division of Waste Management
918 East Divide Avenue, 3rd Floor
Bismarck ND 58501-1947
Telephone: 701.328.5166
Telecopy: 701.328.5200

Pollution prevention is reducing waste at its source. Simply put, pollution prevention tries to eliminate the production of wastes in the first place. Traditionally, businesses have focused on complying with "end of pipe" regulations by managing wastes as they are generated. Pollution prevention can be applied to many aspects of your business, including solid and hazardous waste management, wastewater and storm water management, air emission controls, water conservation, energy conservation, recycling and materials exchange.

Goals for Pollution Prevention

Since all businesses are unique, the "perfect" pollution prevention solution to that business is also unique. However, there are common goals which all businesses should consider when implementing a pollution prevention plan or process. For pollution prevention to be successful, the plan should strive to meet the goals listed below:

Reduce or eliminate pollutants at their source;
Minimize or eliminate use of hazardous materials;
Substitute less hazardous materials if possible;
Assure that reducing pollution or waste from one source does not increase or transfer pollution to another source;
Recycle whenever possible and when feasible;
Dispose or treat wastes only when prevention or recycling is not possible or feasible; and,
Maximize the efficient use of natural resources.

Benefits for businesses include:

Reduced operating costs.
Reduced disposal and/or treatment costs.
Reduced potential liabilities.
Less regulation.
Increased productivity.
Appealing to the consumer market.
Improved worker safety.
Improved employee morale.

Recycling:

Community Recycling
Materials Exchange
Recycler's World
Recycling Works

Recyclables:

Batteries
Electronics
Mercury
Paper
Plastic
Vegetation

The following links are gateways to useful information regarding pollution prevention:

US EPA Office of Pollution Prevention
National Pollution Prevention Roundtable
Peaks to Prairies Pollution Prevention Information Center
Auto Repair and Fleet Maintenance Pollution Prevention
Our Earth

Division Of Waste Management Home Page

Updated: 26 Nov. 2008

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