EVALUATING PROGRESS IN TOXIC POLLUTION PREVENTION FOR 2 INDUSTRIAL SECTORS, 1987-1993

Waste reduction and pollution prevention have become dominant paradigm s in U.S. policy for toxic materials originating with industrial activ ity. This research investigates facility-level data on actions intende d to reduce generation of hazardous wastes as reported by facility per sonnel under the Biennial Reporting System (BRS) between 1987 and 1993 . The research evaluates actions by two samples of facilities, in the metal plating and the printed wire board (PWB) industries, both locate d in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. The general objective is to illuminate the degree to which pollution prevention has penetrated industrial facilities, and determine whether time series changes of wa ste reduction actions suggest continuing increase in pollution prevent ion or, conversely, suggest saturation effects of decreasing waste red uction over time. Results show generally wide acceptance of pollution prevention, with a persistently large number of facilities in both ind ustries reporting implementation of waste reduction measures. Actions were implemented by 45% to 75% of metal plating facilities and 40% to 65% of PWB facilities. The types of waste reduction measures reported do not appear to support a hypothesized trend away from simple, low-co st measures toward intensive facility modifications or new technologie s, as might be expected if the industries were approaching saturation in pollution prevention activities. The two industries show relatively few differences, a notable exception being overall decline over time in proportion of metal facilities reporting waste reduction, whereas P WB facilities remained stable or increased in certain categories. Reas ons reportedly inhibiting further waste reduction are dominated by tec hnical factors and financial limitations, although reported regulatory or permitting barriers increased over time. Use of the BRS or other p ublicly reported data is limited by inconsistencies among reporting pe rsonnel, incomplete compliance within industry, and aggregation of dat a into predetermined categories on reporting forms; however, samples m ay be acquired of greater breadth and depth than readily available by other mechanisms.