Abstract
ABSTRACT
Waste reduction and pollution prevention have become dominant paradigms in U.S. policy for toxic materials originating with industrial activity. This research investigates facility-level data on actions intended to reduce generation of hazardous wastes as reported by facility personnel under the Biennial Reporting System (BRS) between 1987 and 1993. The research evaluates actions by two samples of facilities, in the metal plating and the printed wire board (PWB) industries, both located in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. The general objective is to illuminate the degree to which pollution prevention has penetrated industrial facilities, and determine whether time series changes of waste reduction actions suggest continuing increase in pollution prevention or, conversely, suggest saturation effects of decreasing waste reduction over time. Results show generally wide acceptance of pollution prevention, with a persistently large number of facilities in both industries reporting implementation of waste reduction measures. Actions were implemented by 45% to 75% of metal plating facilities and 40% to 65% of PWB facilities. The types-of waste reduction measures reported do not appear to support a hypothesized trend away from simple, low-cost measures toward intensive facility modifications or new technologies, as might be expected if the industries were approaching saturation in pollution prevention activities. The two industries show relatively few differences, a notable exception being overall decline over time in proportion of metal facilities reporting waste reduction, whereas PWB facilities remained stable or increased in certain categories. Reasons reportedly inhibiting further waste reduction are dominated by technical factors and financial limitations, although reported regulatory or permitting barriers increased over time. Use of the BRS or other publicly reported data is limited by inconsistencies among reporting personnel, incomplete compliance within industry, and aggregation of data into predetermined categories on reporting forms; however, samples may be acquired of greater breadth and depth than readily available by other mechanisms. Key words: Pollution prevention; waste minimization; industrial hazardous waste; environmental policy assessment; electroplating industry; printed wire board industry
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