Each year, the third week of September marks Pollution Prevention (P2) Week, which was created in honor of the Pollution Prevention Act passed 27 years ago. P2 Week provides an opportunity for federal and state agencies, industry, and citizens to celebrate progress and continue to advocate for further pollution reduction.
Below are a few ways in which state environmental agencies commemorated P2 week:
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) hosted a Pollution Prevention Waste Management Workshop that trained businesses, governments, and other entities on P2 from hazardous waste and toxic chemicals. TCEQ also shared a noteworthy statistic that by switching from traditional incandescent light bulbs to energy-saving light bulbs, consumers use 25-80% less energy.
At the St. Albans Water Festival, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection staff taught students about the negative effects pollution can have on the life cycle of trout.
Meanwhile, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality spotlighted its Pollution Prevention and Stewardship unit. In FY16 the department administered 43 grant and loan projects totaling more than $5.7 million, was voted the #1 sustainability webinar series, and reduced 6,175 tons of air emissions through partner and clean diesel grants. The agency also posted tips on how to P2 at home, work, school, and play.
