Section 3: Source Reduction/Pollution Prevention

Types of Source Reduction Activities for Chemicals with Largest Decrease in Waste Managed

This figure shows the types of source reduction activities reported from 2010 to 2013 for the chemicals with the greatest percentage decrease in production-related waste managed over this time period. The type of source reduction activity implemented varies depending on the chemical’s use in industrial operations and the chemical’s characteristics. For example, some types of source reduction activities relate to:

• Cleaning and degreasing. Changing to aqueous cleaners is more commonly implemented for trichloroethylene, a common industrial solvent, than for the other chemicals shown.
• Spill and leak prevention. This activity is more commonly used to reduce waste of benzo(g,h,i)perylene, a persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemical constituent in petroleum products. Common spill and leak prevention activities for this chemical include improving procedures for loading, unloading, and transfer operations at petroleum bulk terminals, and installing overflow alarms or automatic shutoff valves at asphalt product manufacturing facilities.

Facilities may also report additional details to TRI about their source reduction, recycling, or pollution control activities. For the chemicals profiled in the above figure, examples of additional pollution prevention-related information reported are shown below with a link to each facility’s pollution prevention report in Envirofacts.

• Benzo(g,h,i)perylene: A rubber product manufacturer installed three natural gas boilers and decommissioned two #6 fuel oil boilers in an effort to reduce emissions. The change was made in September 2013 and resulted in a 36% reduction in benzo(g,h,i)perylene emissions from the previous year. The facility expects they will not have any benzo(g,h,i)perylene emissions in 2014.[Facility Details]
• Cobalt and Cobalt Compounds: By installing air pollution controls on its anode furnace, a copper smelter decreased emissions of hazardous air pollutants, including cobalt compounds. The project also resulted in approximately 12% savings in natural gas consumption. [Facility Details]
• Trichloroethylene: With the help of a vendor, a pipe and tube manufacturer improved the air blanket zone on its refrigeration lines and reduced releases of trichloroethylene. [Facility Details]
• Barium and Barium Compounds: A printing plate and ink manufacturing facility significantly reduced the use of barium compounds by reformulating its products. [Facility Details]
• Hydrochloric Acid: By changing to an immersion acid process instead of using spray acid equipment, a semiconductor manufacturer is reducing emissions of aerosolized hydrochloric acid. [Facility Detail]

You can view all reported pollution prevention activities and compare facilities’ waste management methods and trends for any TRI chemical by using the TRI P2 Search Tool.

This page was published in January 2015 and uses the 2013 TRI National Analysis dataset made public in TRI Explorer in October 2014.