What is P2? Pollution Prevention (P2) is reducing or eliminating waste at the source by modifying production processes, promoting the use of non-toxic or less-toxic substances, implementing conservation techniques, and re-using materials rather than putting them into the waste stream. P2 is about efficiency. As non-product outputs are minimized then materials and resources are used more efficiently and profits are maximized.

Why is the City of Dallas interested in P2? Through P2 programs, businesses get into and stay in compliance with environmental laws, improve profits, productivity and become more environmentally friendly. This also helps the City reduce its costs for treatment, reduces interference with the operation of treatment facilities and risk of pass-through of toxic pollutants, prevents violation of water quality standards, prevents POTW sludge contamination, protects the health and safety of the worker, and maintains treatment capacity at the wastewater plants. This in turn saves tax dollars.

Dallas Water Utilities (DWU) Pretreatment & Laboratories Services Division (PALS) will annually recognize companies with pollution prevention (P2) success stories. Interested companies may submit, either by mail or electronically, a brief (two pages or less) summary of their P2 program or practice by October 15th each year. Electronic submission should be e-mailed to the DWU pretreatment group. PALS will select the best success story and will present the selected company with an award during the Blue Thumb Award ceremony each year. The awards will recognize those organizations that are providing leadership and innovation in P2 programs and practices.

See the P2 Fact Sheet. For more information on P2, go to EPA pollution prevention website.

Guides and Resources

P2 guides and resources are available on the EPA's National Service Center for Environmental Publications website.