In preparation for Pollution Prevention Week (P2 Week), observed Sept.16-20, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering resources to help organizations promote their work in preventing pollution. This year’s theme for P2 Week is “Together We Are One Planet,” emphasizing the importance of preventing pollution at home, in communities, in industry and beyond to protect human health and the environment.
P2 is essential for protecting public health and improving environmental conditions particularly around disadvantaged communities that have long been overburdened by pollution. P2 Week is an opportunity to spread the word about the importance of P2 and the efforts that P2 practitioners do to help reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, conserve natural resources and reduce cleanup and financial costs for businesses. EPA encourages partners and stakeholders to post content that relates to the following daily themes:
- Monday, September 16: P2 in Industry: Preventing pollution is good for the environment, but it’s also good business. Preventing pollution is cheaper than cleaning it up. EPA’s P2 grants have saved businesses $2.3 billion.
- Tuesday, September 17: P2 in Communities: Preventing pollution protects communities. EPA P2 grants have prevented a billion pounds of hazardous waste from being released, saved billions of gallons of water, and eliminated millions of tons of greenhouse gases.
- Wednesday, September 18: P2 in the Federal Government: The U.S. federal government is the world’s largest purchaser. Federal agencies must maximize the procurement of sustainable products and services, and EPA’s Recommendations help them find them.
- Thursday, September 19: P2 at Home: Preventing pollution at home protects the environment and the health of your family and community. EPA’s Safer Choice program helps people identify products that meet high standards for ingredient safety, performance and sustainable packaging.
- Friday, September 20: P2 Innovation: Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the generation of hazardous substances. Preventing pollution through green chemistry helps protect human health and the environment and lower costs for businesses. EPA is promoting innovation in pollution prevention through programs like the Green Chemistry Challenge Awards.
The resources, including ideas for videos, social media posts, web content and more, are for organization to tailor information to best meet the needs of their stakeholders and local communities.