Pollution Prevention Program
The MDEQ Pollution Prevention (P2) Program is coordinated by the Waste Division with the various air, water and waste environmental media programs throughout MDEQ. The P2 program coordinates multiple activities focusing on the reduction of wastes at the source that can impact the environment. The program efforts are supported in part by a Pollution Prevention Grant from EPA which provides the state with additional resources to assist industries, businesses and government agencies and institutions with pollution prevention and waste minimization efforts such as:
- Providing information and technical assistance to businesses and industries, environmental consultants, local governments, state and federal agencies, and system operators on hazardous and non-hazardous waste management and pollution prevention practices.
- Supporting the Mississippi Economy, Energy, and Environment (ME3) initiative which includes projects, programs and efforts designed to focus on sustainability and the triple bottom line of energy, environment, and the economy.
- Reviewing, managing, and monitoring the waste minimization plans, annual waste minimization certified reports, and the calculation of the annual P2 fees for Toxic Release Inventory Form Filers and Hazardous Waste Generators.
- Providing administration and implementation of the agency’s environmental stewardship recognition program entitled: Envision Heightened Awareness Nurturing Conservation and Environmental Excellence (enHance). EnHance recognizes the manufacturers, businesses, governments and institutions that goes above and beyond standard environmental requirements.
- Coordinating and partnering with state and the federal government agencies and non-governmental entities to promote effective pollution prevention practices.
MDEQ, under Mississippi Code § 49 Chapter 31 (Mississippi Multimedia Pollution Prevention Program Act), has been charged with the promotion of alternatives to waste disposal, such as pollution prevention and recycling technologies and procedures.
Features
Section 49-31-21 of the Mississippi Multimedia Pollution Prevention Act requires all Hazardous Waste Generators (large, small) and SARA Section 313 Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI) Form R filers to develop a waste minimization plan and to file an annual waste minimization certified report, which is due by July 31 of each year.
Toxics Release Inventory (TRI)
The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) contains information about more than 650 toxic chemicals that are being used, manufactured, treated, transported, or released into the environment. Facilities using these chemicals are required to report the locations and quantities of chemicals stored on-site. The reports are submitted to the EPA and the State. EPA compiles this data in an on-line, publicly accessible national computerized database. Forms for the current reporting year are available in the link below. For more information contact the MDEQ TRI Data Administrator.
Waste Reduction Resource Center (WRRC)The Waste Reduction Resource Center provides technical Pollution Prevention (P2) support to the states in EPA Regions III and IV.
P2Rx The Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange is a national partnership of regional centers that advance pollution prevention as a cornerstone of sustainability. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency created the grant program that supports P2Rx in 1997. The centers ensure easy access to high-quality information on how to prevent and reduce pollution through source reduction and conservation of natural resources. The centers also build communities of practice, provide technical assistance and measure P2 program results.
Environmental Sustainability Resource Center
The ESRC serves the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regions 3 and 4 with comprehensive online resources, news and information about pollution prevention. The center utilizes regional and national expertise to provide P2 information that is critical to state environmental agencies, businesses, educators, technical assistance providers and the general public.ESRC believes that helping organizations move toward environmental sustainability will reduce costs, minimize our ecological impact and help conserve, protect and maintain our environment.
National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR)
The NPPR’s mission is to provide a national forum for promoting the development, implementation, and evaluation of efforts to avoid, eliminate, or reduce pollution at the source.
Compliance Assistance Centers
Provide industry-specific compliance information. These “virtual” centers promote links between the small business community and their technical and regulatory providers. Through plain-English guides, consolidated checklists and other tools, compliance assistance centers seek to minimize waste production and maximize environmental performance.
- National Metal Finishing Resource Center
Provides comprehensive environmental compliance, technical assistance, and pollution prevention information to the metal finishing industry. - Printers’ National Environmental Assistance Center
Offers training, state regulatory compliance guides, and two e-mail discussion groups on technical and regulatory issues. - Automotive Compliance Information Assistance Center
Helps the automotive service and repair community identify flexible, common sense ways to comply with environmental requirements
