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California's (and the nation's) first statewide Pollution Prevention Week (P2W) was held October 4-10, 1993, with proclamations and resolutions from Governor Pete Wilson and the Legislature. It has since been repeated yearly with great success and is now known as National Pollution Prevention Week (NP2W) and is celebrated the 3rd week of September.
The goal of NP2W is to increase the pollution prevention awareness among both the public and business people. It aims to highlight P2's potential for protecting the environment while also improving economic competitiveness. NP2W has also had the secondary effect of increasing the level of P2 awareness and support among local government managers and elected officials such as mayors and city council and county board members. This has led to the continuance, expansion, and further development of local pollution prevention programs.
Celebrating P2 week offers a focal point for P2 throughout the year. During the week, there are numerous P2 events sponsored by local government environmental and economic development programs, industry associations, and environmental groups. The events highlight the importance of P2 as a new way of doing business. Here are several ways you as an indvidual can make a difference on pollution prevention.
P2 in the Office
P2 in the Home
P2 in the Garden
P2 on the Road
P2 Car Tips
P2 Product Alternatives
P2 Holiday Tips
For Businesses:
Under Section 6602 (b) of the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, Congress established a national policy that:
- pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source whenever feasible;
- pollution that cannot be prevented should be recycled in an environmentally safe manner whenever feasible;
- pollution that cannot be prevented or recycled should be treated in an environmentally safe manner whenever feasible; and
- disposal or other release into the environment should be employed only as a last resort and should be conducted in an environmentally safe manner.
For Schools: Environmental Education
Integrating the environment and education in the classroom through real-world experiences can improve students' academic performance, self-esteem and appreciation for the environment. Lessons, workbooks and hands-on activities, which focus on teaching children to be good stewards of the environment, are available on www.dtsc.ca.gov/Education/index.html
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