The Center for Economic Impacts & Societal Benefits (CEISB) at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) has released a Pollution Prevention Guide for companies wanting to learn about using pollution prevention industrial assessments. Simply put, pollution prevention, also known as P2, refers to the reduction or elimination of hazardous materials and contaminants (pollution) at their source, prior to creation or release into the environment. The recently published guide is designed both for those who are new to P2 and those who have basic knowledge of P2 industrial assessments to help them move forward with P2 assessments in their facilities.
The guide was produced as part of the Collaborative Training & Assessments in Pollution Prevention (CTAP2) project, which assisted IL manufacturers in developing the skills needed to reap the rewards of incorporating sustainability into their business model. The guidebook includes information on how to plan and conduct assessments, including tips for forming pollution prevention teams; how to collect data to calculate baselines and progress toward goals; identification of common P2 opportunities and methods to evaluate and prioritize opportunities for implementation; and suggestions for incorporating continuous improvement in company culture. Participating facilities were also given access to short video modules to help communicate the basic tenets of P2 to internal teams. In addition to the guidebook, which lays the foundation for applying P2 principles in an industrial setting, an online Zotero library was also developed to provide more in-depth information related to various industrial sectors (e.g., aerospace, automotive, chemical, food & beverage, and metals manufacturing) and topics (e.g., hazardous materials, housekeeping, energy, water, green products, financing, etc.). The Zotero library also includes compilations of relevant case studies and ISTC publications.
Participating facilities represented the following manufacturing sectors: ball & roller bearings (fabricated metal products); cheese; paints & coatings; soap & other detergents; and pumps & pumping equipment. Funding for the project was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Explore other opportunities for assistance
ISTC has over 30 years of experience providing pollution prevention and sustainability technical assistance to industries and organizations throughout Illinois and beyond. Through CEISB, ISTC also provides technical assistance in zero waste, sustainability planning, institutional water treatment, stakeholder engagement, and implementation assistance. Visit the CEISB website for a full list of services. CEISB also conducts research on environmental and societal systems. Visit the main “About Us” page on the CEISB website and the staff directory for more information on areas of expertise.
CEISB technical assistance providers currently have federal funding to provide P2 assistance at no cost to certain industrial or market sectors. See the following brief descriptions and links to project flyers:
- Advancing Beverage Resilience through Pollution Prevention. This collaboration with EnergySense Resilience Center supports breweries, wineries, distilleries, and other craft beverage businesses across the state of Illinois. Following their assessments, participants will also have the chance to assist in shaping the certification process for green beverage manufacturing in Illinois and to be recognized for their sustainability efforts through the Illinois Green Business Program.
- Mississippi River Corridor Pollution Prevention. ISTC staff are working with partners at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Office of Pollution Prevention Services and Missouri State University to provide free industrial sustainability assessments across three states.
- Pollution Prevention at Food Focused Businesses within DuPage & Kane Counties. Another collaboration with EnergySense Resilience Center, this project is providing free technical assistance to 10 small for and/or non-profit entities, such as restaurants, grocers, and other food-focused businesses and organizations in DuPage and Kane Counties. By getting assessed, businesses can lower operational costs, reduce wasted food & resources, and attract environmentally conscious customers.
Don’t see your sector or organization reflected in the projects listed above? The CEISB team may still be able to assist you through other funding sources or fee-for-service work. Contact CEISB at istc-info@illinois.edu or fill out the online site visit request form.