Pollution Prevention (P2) has become the preferred environmental management strategy for both businesses and government. The prevention of waste at the source before it is created and substitution of non-toxic materials, where possible, benefits the environment AND your budget. In 1991, the Vermont Legislature passed the state's pollution prevention planning law.

The Planning Process
The purpose of Pollution Prevention Planning is to identify opportunities to reduce or eliminate the generation of hazardous waste and the use of toxic chemicals at the source rather than treating or controlling these materials after they have been created or used.

Vermont's Pollution Prevention Planning law requires businesses that exceed certain thresholds to complete pollution prevention plans, submit annual progress reports that describe progress made toward reduction goals established in the plan, and to submit annual fees. EAO's Pollution Prevention Program has prepared a series of worksheets with instructions to assist businesses that are subject to the law with the development of a P2 Plan. Businesses that are subject to planning must also file an Annual Progress Report on Pollution Prevention. Copies of both the Pollution Prevention Planning Guidance, which includes the worksheets that make up a plan, and Annual Progress Reporting forms are available for download here.

Who Needs to Plan?
The law requires businesses that generate greater than 2,640 pounds per year of hazardous waste, or manufacturers (SIC Codes 20-39) that use 1,000 pounds or more per year of certain toxic chemicals (EPA Toxic Release Inventory listed chemicals, see SARA Title III, Section 313 ), to prepare plans to reduce the generation and/or use of these materials.

Is Planning Assistance Available?
The Environmental Assistance Office (EAO) Pollution Prevention (P2) Program is responsible for overseeing the planning law and assisting companies with the development of Pollution Prevention Plans and completion of Annual Progress Reports. P2 Program staff also offer Technical Assistance services to companies that want to reduce their generation of hazardous and solid waste and use of toxic chemicals.

For more information, contact:

Paul Van Hollebeke, Waste Prevention Specialist
Telephone: (800) 974-9559 or (802) 241-3629