The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR is the largest non-profit membership organization dedicated solely to pollution prevention.
History & Mission
In 1985 Jeffery Burke founded NPPR to bring pollution prevention to industries worldwide. Governmental agencies, like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provide regulation. Since individuals and businesses cannot join the EPA, Burke formed NPPR so anyone who is environmentally conscious can join.
NPPR bridges the pollution prevention gap with information, education, monitoring and data collection of results.
Mission Statement
“The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR is a national forum that promotes the development, implementation and evaluation of efforts to avoid, eliminate or reduce waste generated to air, land and water. The sustainable, efficient use of energy, materials and resources is vital to the protection and enhancement of human health and the environment, and the conservation of natural resources. These efforts are integral to accelerate the shift toward sustainable consumption and production to promote environmentally responsible social and economic development.”
Partnerships & Projects
By partnering with the Department of Energy (DOE), Quicksilver Caucus, Performance Tracking of Participating Associates, P2 Resource Exchange, Department of Commerce and businesses, NPPR helps businesses pursue lean manufacturing and meet zero waste initiatives.
In April, 2008, NPPR partnered with Zero Waste Project to form the EcoEye Project in South Korea. The EcoEye promotes pollution prevention, seminars on sustainability and lean manufacturing to governmental agencies and industry. EcoEye aims to identify local pollution sources, monitor pollution prevention implementation and gauge results.
In partnership with the Quicksilver Caucus, Burke wrote a letter to United States President George W. Bush on behalf of all NPPR members to encourage the October 2008 signing of the Mercury Export Ban.
Challenges & Success
The largest pollution prevention impact NPPR yields is regional review of implementation of pollution prevention ideology. By collecting data on the reduction of energy consumption, electronic waste water and air particulate pollution, recycling and solid waste reduction, NPPR offers proven choices to industries beginning or refining their pollution prevention efforts.
There are no borders for the NPPR initiative. In Monaco, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, North Africa, the United States and Pacifica, NPPR highlights all companies are better without waste, whether compliance is under legislative requirement or self-imposed.
NPPR’s toughest challenge is getting industry to be honest about pollution prevention efforts, so NPPR can get better information back to them on how to further reduce future pollution and waste.
While companies may balk at the upfront money involved in refitting a factory with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs or buying better filters in car painting booths, the truth of savings cannot be overstated.
Money saved on energy, waste removal, excess shipping and cooling can be reinvested in production for profitable sustainability.
Membership
Globally, NPPR hosts meetings, like the National Environmental Partnership Summit, to share sustainable pollution prevention practices. Up to 24 webinars per year connect pollution prevention participants who range from academics to industry leaders, from trade associations to governmental agencies.
All are invited to join the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable to brings sustainable pollution prevention to all businesses, regardless of size.
