PPRC focuses on reducing toxics at their sources. Source reduction provides environmental protection that effectively reduces both pollution and businesses’ costs. Preventing pollution at the source prevents harmful downstream exposures and costly cleanups. For over two decades, PPRC has been at the forefront of developing partnerships that serve to reduce toxics in processes and products while also improving economic vitality. Here are some of the current projects we are involved with:
This project aims to prevent and reduce toxics entering the Puget Sound by working with commercial and Do It Yourself (DIY) boat restorers and refinishers. The project aims to create awareness about toxics and safer alternative practices in highly impacted communities. We are currently aiming to host a series of educational workshops along the Duwamish Cooridor. We will also develop a series of easy-to-use fact sheets and a short video about best management practices for safer alternatives to common solvents and other toxic materials used in boat restoration and refinishing.
Waterborne automotive coatings are the choice of almost all major auto manufacturers (OEM’s) and are on the way to becoming industry standard at collision repair shops. Fact sheets in both English and Spanish have been developed to provide good information on converting your shop to the use of waterborne paint as well as water=based cleaners and degreasers.
To maintain competitiveness, manufacturers continually seek more efficient and sustainable practices. A P2 assessment can save businesses both resources and money. If your business has environmental goals, or challenges with waste, water, energy, or toxics use and exposure, we can help. We are currently offering this assessment FREE to participating business.
P2 Assessments can help businesses:
For more details, see the full page on Pollution Prevention Assessment services or contact Michelle Gaither.
PPRC developed a series of resources to help automotive owners and technicians get informed about common chemicals found in a repair shop. The resources developed were designed to help both Do-It-Yourselfers (DIYers) as well as industry professionals. Resources include:
To see the full list of resources, visit our full page on Safer Alternatives for the Automotive Industry.
Like many heavy metals, cadmium is detrimental to human health. Cadmium can cause serious effects to renal function, bones, and the pulmonary system. It is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Group 1 known human carcinogen. Many people consume far more cadmium than than they are aware of; almost all humans carry a significant body burden of the metal.
Where does cadmium come from? How are we exposed? And how can we prevent harmful exposures? These are the questions PPRC and lead scientist, Marjorie MartzEmerson, are seeking to answer. For more information, visit our full page on Pollution Prevention for Cadmium and Other Heavy Metals.
We are a new face in the stormwater field. But our expertise in pollution prevention and source control lends itself to effectively preventing stormwater pollution. Our current stormwater work involves the following:
For more information about our Stormwater Pollution Prevention work, visit our full page on Stormwater Pollution Prevention.
In 2014, PPRC is providing technical assistance training workshops for rural communities throughout the Northwest to reduce the harmful impacts of FOG (or fats, oils, and grease) in sewer lines. These one-day workshops will help communities, which may lack technical resources, to:
For more information, go to the full page on FOG Prevention Training. There you’ll find full details about the program and an updated schedule of training dates.
As prominent community businesses and gathering places, breweries can function as model stewards for environmental health. Those committed to sustainability can build trust among customers, the community, and the local and regional government. PPRC is here to help – to connect breweries with resources, with technical assistance, and with each other to improve both environmental and economic performance. Resources include:
For these resources and more, see the full page on Resources for the Craft Brewery Industry.
The Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse (IC2) has developed a framework and guide to assist businesses in transitioning to safer chemicals. The guide provides recommendations on comparing hazards, lifecycle impacts, costs and functionality of proposed chemical alternatives for products or processes. As part of a range of solutions, PPRC can help you:
For more information on Alternatives Assessment, see our full page on Safer Chemicals.
Does your organization rely on a laboratory? We can provide a detailed assessment of the ways your lab can have a more positive impact on both environmental and worker health. Our Green Labs Assessment includes:
For more information about Green Lab Assessments, contact our Technical Project Manager, Jill Tepe.
PPRC is currently providing Spray Technique Analysis and Research (STAR®) and NESHAP training to painters and paint instructors. The program is dedicated to improving the overall efficiency of manual spray coating operations by enhancing the techniques of spray technicians.
The benefits of the program include:
For more details about the training program (NESHAP requirements, techniques trained, and case studies), visit our full page on Spray Painting Efficiency or contact Ken Grimm.