NWREporter November 2009

Think you know how to prevent pollution? Take the P24U Quiz

"Everyone knows that most pollution comes from big, ugly pipes – factory smokestacks, sewer outfalls, and the like, right? Not exactly," according to the Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center (PPRC).

This go-to source for pollution prevention information reminds us a significant share of pollution comes from small sources that add up – the cars we drive, the energy we use to heat and light our homes, the water we consume for cleaning and sanitation, and the chemicals we use around the house.

Since its formation in 1990 and the opening of its doors on April 22, 1991, the 21st anniversary of Earth Day, PPRC has worked collaboratively with business, government, non-government organizations, and other sectors to promote environmental protection through pollution prevention.

The council realized that preventing pollution at the source made the most sense as an environmental management strategy. The non-profit organization serves Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington and strives to be the Northwest’s leading source of high quality, unbiased pollution prevention information.

Much of its work is centered on the tag of "P2" (pollution prevention). It is defined as avoiding the creation of pollution in the first place rather than dealing with its consequences after the fact. "P2 means rooting out little inefficiencies or wasteful habits that don’t add much value to your home. In doing P2, you do a little rethinking about the way you run your house," according to information on PPRC’s website. The benefits it cites are money saved, a healthier, more comfortable home, and a helping hand for our environment.

Among its services is "P24U," a compilation of resources to help consumers keep their homes clean, comfortable, efficient and safe. On its website at http://pprc.org is a bounty of information and publications on wide-ranging topics, including:

• Green Building
• Home Comfort
• Home Appliances & Fixtures
• Breathing Easy Indoors
• Painting, Staining & Sealing
• Housecleaning
• Out in the Yard
• Car Care
• What do I do with these Chemicals?

There’s even a "P2Quiz," a 16-point, multiple choice self-test to assess what you do and how much you know about energy, transportation, water, solid waste, cleaning, yard and lawn care, and painting. Check it out at: http://pprc.org/pubs/quizes/p2quiz.html.

Among its other contributions, PPRC lists:

• Making high quality information available to decision-makers in business and other sectors to help them integrate pollution prevention into their operations. (See box for information on a free webinar.)
• Identifying P2 obstacles and opportunities through collaborative networking with business, government and other constituencies.
• Catalyzing projects that address project needs, and bringing people and resources together to implement pollution prevention.
• Promoting pollution prevention as an essential element of sustainable development strategies
• What's New in P2, a monthly digest of news, new tools, upcoming meetings/events and more.

Also offered are Topic Hubs™, topic-specific guides to collected resources about the topic. Topic Hubs™ provide web-based guides to resources specific to a particular industry or subject. More than a dozen topics are currently available, including Economic Incentives, Environmental Measurement, Lean and Green, and Product Stewardship.

PPRC has established itself in the Northwest and nationally as an essential resource for pollution prevention. As a neutral force, PPRC educates its audiences, facilitates communication, and initiates progressive change.

PPRC was launched with assistance of the Hazardous Waste Advisory Council and the environmental consulting firm of Ross & Associates. In 1998, it partnered with similar P2 centers across the U.S. for form the Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx™) Network.

Its board of directors includes volunteer representatives from a diverse array of industries vital to the Northwest economy.