SWOT Analysis of EPA’s Pollution Prevention Program
March 2011
Strengths

The Pollution Prevention Act establishes formal P2
mandates and priorities; TSCA provides authority
for chemical risk management and sustainable
products

Proven program capabilities in consensus building,
partnerships, awards and recognition

Leads and contributes to voluntary consensus
standards development and other dialogues on
sustainability and sustainable products

Maintains close affiliations with regulatory
chemicals programs and associated scientific/
technical expertise

Offers well-established delivery mechanisms for
technical assistance and technology transfer

Builds and participates in a strong P2 and
sustainability network including government
agencies, NGOs, universities, and professional
organizations

Serves as a recognized source of information and
expertise on P2, green products, and sustainability;
businesses look to P2 programs for cost-effective
help

Demonstrated success in risk reduction through
source reduction and risk management.

Demonstrated potential for long-term economic
and environmental benefits through P2 practices
Weaknesses

Although P2 awareness is expanding in the
business community, not enough businesses
understand the environmental and economic
benefits of P2 or the central role of P2 in
pursuing sustainability

Small businesses are significantly less aware of
P2 practices and the importance of
sustainability to the bottom line, since these
businesses don’t have the time/resources to
invest

P2 economic benefits are less tangible and
harder to visualize than investments that
contribute directly to production, making it
more challenging to determine results based
exclusively on P2

P2 programs are widely perceived as "voluntary
only" rather than using the full spectrum of
regulatory and non-regulatory tools

The P2 Program's resource base is shrinking
Opportunities

More fully engage EPA leadership to highlight the
central role of P2 as the cornerstone of
sustainability.

Pursue multimedia, market-based, sustainable
solutions for businesses, the public sector, and
others

Work with other agencies to more fully leverage
resources to achieve greater reductions in
greenhouse gasses, hazardous materials, and the
use of natural resources

Contribute to a greener and more sustainable
economy through the implementation of P2
practices

Increase business revenues and significant cost
savings through the implementation of P2 practices

Use P2 life-cycle opportunities and expertise in
chemicals in products to reduce health and
environmental impacts throughout key industry
sectors

Use the current regulatory review process (EO
13563) to include P2 options and remove P2
barriers in regulations
Threats

Challenges associated with measuring results of
programs closely associated with voluntary
activities makes them particularly vulnerable
for resource reductions or suspension

Competition for resources and attention with
deadline-driven regulatory programs

Reduced P2 programmatic resources and P2
state and regional grants complicates the ability
to advance region-specific P2 practices and
implement programs on a national level