What does "pollution prevention" aim to achieve?

Pollution prevention focuses on reducing or eliminating the production of pollutants at their source rather than managing them after they have been created. This approach emphasizes proactive measures to minimize the environmental impact of industrial processes, products, and services before any pollution is generated. By implementing practices that prioritize sustainability and resource conservation, pollution prevention seeks to diminish harmful emissions, waste, and other pollutants that can negatively affect air, water, and land.

While improving waste management techniques, increasing recycling rates, and enhancing public awareness are important components of environmental management and can complement pollution prevention strategies, they are not the primary goal of pollution prevention itself. Instead, these aspects may serve as secondary measures that help to manage pollution that has already occurred or to further promote environmental consciousness. Ultimately, the core intent of pollution prevention is to establish systems and practices that inherently reduce the potential for pollution generation in the first place.