API Publ 317:1995 pdf download.AIndustry Experience With Pollution Prevention Programs
Developing an inventory of releases to all media. Concentrate efforts initially on the most significant releases, including information about where and how each release originates, any intermediate handling or processing, and its ultimate dis- position.” Evaluating each inventoried waste stream and emission in order to develop plans for reductions. Evaluation criteria might include quantity, toxicity, safety or health risk, potential liability, level of public interest, technological feasibility and anticipated cost of reduction, and availability of the resources necessary to accomplish the reduction. Opportunities should be identifed to move up the waste management hierarchy (from treatment and disposal to recycling or reuse 如o source reduction) when feasible and justified. Setting realistic reduction goals, both short-term and long-term (e.g, one and five years), using the evaluations of inventoried releases to identify and prioritize the reduction steps which will attain the goals. Combining the goals and the individual reduction steps can form an overall pollution prevention plan for the facility. Accomplishing reductions, including those identified in the plan, and monitoring and reporting progress. The plan should be flexible and therefore, should be updated periodically to reflect new information or changing situations.
The API Polution Prevention Task Force has been actively involved in promoting pollution prevention within the industry since 1990. During that period, the members of the Task Force have accumulated a comprehensive body of knowledge on the subject of pollution prevention along with an appreciation of many of the key elements that make polution prevention programs successful. The following resource document is a work product of the Task Force aimed at capturing their experience and knowledge and passing it along to API member companies. It is intended only as a summary of elements that have proven to be successful for others.
Administrative, accounting, and communication practices can be established or modified to facilitate the adoption and implementation of a pollution prevention program. Such practices can serve to reinforce management’s commitment and to provide tools which support the program. Actions which can be taken in these areas include: Establishing administrative processes to encourage the identification of pollution prevention opportunities. ■Instituting practices to identify and evaluate pollution prevention opportunities in research activities, designs for new or modified facilities, maintenance turnarounds, and reviews of proposed projects. ■Broadening environmental compliance audit programs to include assessments of the extent to which pollution prevention opportunities are being identified, evalu- ated, and pursued when appropriate.