Annual Progress Reports for Texas Pollution Prevention (P2) Plans Due July 1, 2022

In 1991, Texas Legislature passed the Waste Reduction Policy Act. The act reduces the volume, toxicity, and environmental effects of pollutants in Texas. Often referred as Pollution Prevention (P2) Plans, the plans avoid the disposal or release of substances into the environment using source reduction and waste minimization. In many states, this is a voluntary program. Texas P2 planning is mandatory for all creators of hazardous waste and TRI Form R reporters. According to the 1998-2014 P2 Annual Progress Reports (APRs), Texas companies reduced the amount of hazardous waste generated by more than 13 million tons.

Six Reasons to Practice Pollution Prevention

  1. Economic incentives – The first group of facilities to comply with the P2 planning law in the 1990s reduced hazardous waste generation by 25 percent. Nearly half of these compliant facilities reported annual cost savings of more than $40,000.
  2. Paperwork reduction – By lessening your volume of hazardous waste, you reduce your permit requirements.
  3. Reduced liability – Hazardous chemicals pose immediate liability concerns because they are caustic, flammable, or have other harmful characteristics.
  4. Regulatory requirements – As you switch to less-hazardous materials, incorporate cleaner processes, and reduce your overall environmental impacts, you can reduce your regulatory burden and may be able to change your generator status.
  5. Enhanced public image – The public knows the dangerous effects of hazardous waste and pollution on their health. Companies that are environmentally conscious and work toward waste reduction can improve their working relationship with the public, neighbors, and customers.
  6. Improved health and environment – Pollution reduction benefits public health and the environment.

The planning and reporting requirements apply to the following types of facilities:

  • Facilities that report to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) using the TRI Form R,
  • Large quantity generators (LQGs), or
  • Small quantity generators (SQGs) of hazardous waste that report to the TCEQ on the Annual Waste Summary.

Requirements of a P2 Plan

Prepare a P2 Plan. P2 Plans must be updated, and a new executive summary submitted to the TCEQ every 5 years. Although there is no certain format a P2 plan must follow, the following elements must be documented:

  • A list of all hazardous wastes and TRI chemicals
  • The activities that generate the waste or TRI chemical
  • An explanation of P2 projects
  • An implementation schedule
  • The measurable P2 goals
  • An employee awareness program
  • A P2 Plan Executive Summary

Submit the Executive Summary and signed Certificate to the TCEQ within 90 days.

Report annually on the facilities activities to prevent pollution. The annual report can be submitted through email, mail, or STEERS.

For more information visit: www.p2plan.org

Return to ‘News’