The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released its 2018 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis. Findings from this publicly available report show an increase in recycling of TRI chemical wastes nationwide and indicate that companies continue to find ways to implement new source reduction activities and reduce the quantities of TRI chemicals that they release into the environment.
Results of this publicly available database show that in New England in 2018, the most recent year data are available, releases and disposal of all TRI chemicals decreased by 7 percent, even as the regional economy has continued to grow and thrive.
In 2018, 90 percent of production-related chemical waste in the six New England states that comprise EPA Region 1 was managed through recycling, treatment, and energy recovery; only 10 percent was disposed of or released into the environment.
From 2007 to 2018, the quantity of production-related waste managed by most industry sectors in New England decreased, with the largest decreases in the paper and primary metals sectors. During this time, chemical releases into the environment decreased by 32 percent (8.8 million pounds), driven by decreased air releases at electric utilities. In 2018, 10 percent of TRI facilities in Region 1 implemented new source reduction activities. Source reduction reporting rates in the region were among the highest in the chemicals sector, where 14 percent of facilities reported at least one source reduction activity.
This year's National Analysis expands the focus on geographical trends in chemical waste management across the country. New features include profiles exploring the diversity of industrial operations in each EPA region and a closer look at data from the hazardous waste management sector and the aerospace manufacturing sector.
Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), covered facilities must report their annual releases of TRI chemicals for the prior calendar year to EPA by July 1. EPA, states and tribes receive TRI data from facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, mining, electric utilities and commercial hazardous waste management. The Pollution Prevention Act also requires facilities to submit information on pollution prevention and other waste management activities of TRI chemicals.
To access the 2018 TRI National Analysis, including local data and analyses, please visit:
US EPA: Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis
For more information on the Toxics Release Inventory Program, please visit:
US EPA: Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program
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