Hanford Site
Hanford Pollution Prevention

Pollution prevention is DOE’s preferred approach to environmental management. The Hanford Site Pollution Prevention Program is an organized and continuing effort to reduce systematically the quantity and toxicity of hazardous, radioactive, mixed, and sanitary wastes. The program fosters the conservation of resources and energy, the reduction of hazardous substance use, and the prevention or minimization of pollutant releases to all environmental media from all operations and site cleanup actives.

The program is designed to satisfy DOE requirements, executive orders, and state and federal regulations and requirements. In accordance with sound environmental management, preventing pollution through source reduction is the first priority in this program; the second priority is environmentally safe recycling. Waste treatment to reduce quantity, toxicity, or mobility (or a combination of these) will be considered only when prevention and recycling are not possible or practical. Disposal to the environment is the last option.

Overall responsibility for the Hanford Site Pollution Prevention Program resides with DOE Richland Operations Office. The office defines overall program requirements that each prime contractor is responsible for meeting.

Pollution Prevention Outreach and Public Involvement is implemented by each contractor by communicating waste minimization successes and information to employees and the community through outreach. Public involvement of each contractor will help to establish public confidence and trust, increase awareness of environmental issues, and promote the reduction of waste. Hanford Site contractors are encouraged to participate in the organizing of activities such as Earth Day and the local schools' Ambassadors program and to publish information externally to help increase awareness and public trust. Public and stakeholder participation should also be sought for projects and program elements to encourage community involvement and to develop a broad base of input and understanding of relevant pollution prevention issues.

Please send questions and comments to Candice_E_Marple@rl.gov