Pollution prevention means the use of materials, processes or practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollution or waste at the source. As such, it is an approach to environmental protection that differs from the traditional command-and-control approach that focuses on limiting emissions by the use of "end-of-pipe" control technologies.

The joint subcommittee to study pollution prevention in the Commonwealth was created by Senate Joint Resolution 103 of 1992 and was continued for a second year by Senate Joint Resolution 207 of 1993.

In its second year, the joint subcommittee continued to carry out its three missions of identifying and evaluating pollution prevention activities, assessing the range of pollution prevention activities, and studying ways of increasing education and technical assistance.

The recommendations of the subcommittee's second year of work include the following:

• Pollution prevention should be given a high profile within the Department of Environmental Quality. The implementation of pollution prevention projects, including technical assistance and outreach, should be one of the agency's highest priorities.

• Agencies of state government should adopt pollution prevention approaches whenever feasible. The Commonwealth can thereby set an example for private industry, while generating economic savings and affording greater environmental protection.

• Public procurement should be accessible to purveyors of goods and products that contain less toxic and hazardous substances than those which are currently being purchased. This will generate a potential benefit to entrepreneurs developing alternative, less-pollution goods and products who may benefit from the market for such materials.

• A voluntary statewide goal for pollution prevention efforts will aid efforts to reduce the use, generation and release of environmentally-hazardous substances.

• Many groups and organizations are currently involved in a variety of programs aimed at increasing awareness of pollution prevention opportunities. Their efforts should be applauded. The governor's Environmentally Excellence Awards program should be given greater attention, and should place greater focus on pollution prevention success stories.

• The joint subcommittee studying pollution prevention should be continued for another year in order to monitor source reduction efforts and continue to work for wider implementation of pollution prevention initiatives.