THE POLLUTION PREVENTION PARTNERSHIP - A COLORADO VOLUNTARY PRIVATE PUBLIC ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE

It started with breakfast In 1989 representatives from industry, regul atory agencies and public interest groups began to meet over early mor ning coffee. At first they sought a better dialogue between industries and regulatory agencies-turning potential adversaries into team-mates . Later, this ''breakfast club'' evolved into the Pollution Prevention Partnership, a Colorado voluntary environmental initiative. The goal: working together to prevent pollution at its source. By 1991, the Pol lution Prevention Partnership (PPP) formed a non-profit organization. The Partnership set new standards for reducing pollution in Colorado's industries by making it easier for regulatory officials, public inter est spokespeople and industry representatives to meet and forge new so lutions to environmental problems. The first major project, ''SolvNet I,'' focused on reducing the use of 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA). TCA p oses both health and environmental hazards. PPP set a goal for each co mpany in the Partnership to reduce its use and release of this industr ial ''sorvent-of-choice'' by 70%. Partnership members methodically sea rched for more acceptable alternatives, testing over 50 compounds. By making changes in processes, products and business methods, they excee ded their goal. Pollution prevention-by reducing solvent use-reduces b urdensome regulatory compliance, taxes and surcharges. The work has no t stopped there. The Partnership is reaching beyond its membership to other Colorado businesses. Members conducted technical workshops for o ther industry representatives. The Partnership hosted a luncheon for C olorado's top corporate executives. They worked with the Waste Minimiz ation Assessment Center, of Colorado State University, to perform wast e assessments at small and medium size industries in Colorado. Work is also under way on SolvNet II, an expanded program designed to reduce hazardous industrial waste by the Partnership's industrial members. Th is paper presents the purpose and goals of the Pollution Prevention Pa rtnership. It discusses the SolvNet I and SolvNet II projects, gives p erspectives on how companies,succeeded in preventing pollution, and ou tlines the Partnerships technical assistance activities.