
-
This plan is a reference tool
and
guidance document
for
managers, operations personnel,
and
support staff. It contains the policy, objectives, strategy, and support activities of the Waste
Minimization and Pollution Prevention Awareness Program. Waste minimization and pollution
prevention goals,
the
development
of
detailed waste generation information through
w~te
minimization assessments and surveys, and a process for continual evaluation of the program are
primary
~letn.ents
of
this plan. Various waste minimization/pollution prevention techniques will
be
implemented with the support
of
employee training
and
awareness programs to reduce waste while
meeting operational requirements for quality, productivity, safety, and environmental compliance
..
Costs continue to be a factor
as
LBL treats, stores, and disposes of production, laboratory, and
legacy wastes, and performs environmental remediation activities. The Laboratory will generate
additional wastes
as
facilities are decontaminated
and
decommissioned and
as
new
types of
production operations
are
brought on-line. Through early investments in source reduction and
environmentally safe recycling, the Laboratory could significantly reduce future waste management
costs and, simultaneously, minimize health risks to its workers and the public. As LBL reduces
waste generation associated with an
activity",
it avoids spending a proportional amount in waste
management cost The Laboratory
can
save waste management costs by applying WMin/PP to
operational practices.
The
Environmental Protection
Agency
(EPA) definition
of
waste minimization is the action taken
on wastes that are generated, stored, or disposed of leading to a decrease
in
volume or quantity,
and/or reduction-of toxicity
or
other hazardous characteristics. -Waste minimization is divided into
three categories:
1)
source reduction, 2) recycling, and 3) waste treatment. The U.S. Department
of
Energy defmes WMin/PP
as
activities that involve source reduction and recycling
of
all wastes
and
pollutants. WMin/PP includes practices that reduce the use
of
materials, energy, water, or
other resources
and
practices that protect natural resources through conservation or more efficient
use.
A more detailed definition for waste minimization
and
pollution prevention is provided
in
Appendix
A.
C . Legal and Policy Background
The current trend in environmental regulation
is
pollution prevention over pollution control. The
use
of
less toxic materials has been promoted
by
the President, the EPA, the public sector,
U~S.
private industry,
and
the
general public. Regulations
are
being promulgated
by
EPA that
encourage source reduction through decreased
use
of toxic chemicals, energy, and other raw
(
--
materials.
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