Pollution Prevention

Pollution Prevention (P2), or source reduction, is the elimination or reduction of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants entering any waste stream or otherwise released into the environment (including fugitive emissions) prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal.  It is the preferred method of waste management in the USA.  It is designed to ensure that pollution is not created in the first place and never enters the environment.  This is in keeping with the National Pollution Prevention Act of 1990.  Most importantly, a clean, healthy environment is critical to our County residents and to County workers. Each of our actions towards preventing pollution help to make Montgomery County’s environment better for current and future generations.

Montgomery County’s P2 Program

In 1999, County Executive Douglas Duncan signed the Executive Order Establishing Pollution Prevention Program to formalize the development of a program for County owned facilities that would eliminate or significantly reduce pollution at the source and ensure that it never enters the environment.  The P2 Executive Order states that all County employees are responsible for environmental protection, through regulatory compliance and pollution prevention.  A key component of the Executive Order was the designation of Pollution Prevention Coordinator (within the Department of Environmental Protection) to accomplish these goals:

• Establish a training program that uses industry standard guidelines as a benchmark for Pollution Prevention concepts;

• Spearhead development and implementation of Pollution Prevention Plans for County facilities and operations.

For the past two years DEP has conducted P2 Awareness Training and workshops that teach employees in selected departments pollution prevention practices and techniques to help them comply with local, state, and federal regulations. The workshops result in innovative approaches to eliminate the use of hazardous materials and reduce waste. The current focus of the P2 Program is providing the following assistance throughout the government:

• Conducting P2 assessments of the workplace
• Identifying P2 options to reduce waste
• Developing P2 Plans
• Researching product substitutions for P2
   

“P2” It’s Everyone’s Responsibility

Follow Montgomery County’s lead by taking action in these ways:

Please DON'T: 

• Mix hazardous materials together.
• Mix non-hazardous materials with hazardous materials.
• Flush hazardous wastes down the toilet. 
• Pour hazardous wastes down household drains, storm drains, or on the ground.
• Bury wastes in your yard.
• Purchase hazardous products when there is a non-hazardous alternative.
• Purchase larger quantities of hazardous products than you will use.
• Exceed recommended amounts of applications of any hazardous material.

 Please DO:

• Establish good housekeeping practices
  
  when using a hazardous product, read labels and follow the product instructions for safest use;
  
  keep all containers covered and properly labeled;
  
  practice preventive maintenance;
  
  
• Conserve energy
  
  Turn off lights, computers and electronic equipment when not in use.
  
  Combine errands to reduce vehicle miles traveled.
  
  
• Conserve water
  
  
• Purchase products that have a lesser or reduced health effect and impact on the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose. The product or service comparison may consider raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, reuse, operation, maintenance, or disposal. 
  
  
• Keep an up-to-date inventory and remove unneeded materials for recycling or disposal.
  
  
• Use proper disposal procedures for hazardous waste.  For home-generated hazardous waste, the County has a  "permanent" Household Hazardous Waste receiving area at the Transfer Station, in addition to the conveniently located satellite collections -- both are free of charge.  If your business generates hazardous waste, the Ecowise Program may meet your disposal needs.  Contact the Division of Solid Waste Services at 240-777-6410 for more information and to see if you qualify.
  
  
• Evaluate your waste by performing an assessment of your activities and the waste generated.  Reduce the amount of waste you generate by following the three Rs- Reduce, Reuse and then Recycle.
  
  Reduce:
  
  
• Buy recycled paper made with post consumer content. Use both sides.
• Use reusable dishes, and utensils. Use cloth napkins.
• Use less-toxic chemicals and cleaners.
• Use electronic mail to send memos.
• Use direct deposit for your paycheck.
  
   Reuse:
  
  
• Buy reusable products and avoid single-use items.
• Reuse bags, containers, paper, boxes and other items.
• Borrow, rent or share things you use infrequently.
  
   Recycle:
  
  
• Buy products that can be recycled.  For recyclable items contact the Division of Solid Waste Services at 240-777-6400. The Division of Solid Waste can also tell you how to prepare materials for recycling and what the collection or drop-off schedule is.