Pollution Prevention Evaluation Reports
2012 Pollution Prevention Evaluation Report (lrp-p2s-2sy12)
Under the Minnesota Toxic Pollution Prevention Act (Minn. Stat. 115D), the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is responsible for evaluating progress in pollution prevention and reporting progress to the public. The MPCA collaborates with several other state agencies in preparing this report.
The Pollution Prevention Evaluation Report is the only independent source of public information made readily available which documents the need for, progress toward, and benefits of pollution prevention for Minnesota.
Download reports
Download reports
MPCA issues reports each even-numbered year.
- 2012 Pollution Prevention Evaluation Report
- 2010 Pollution Prevention Evaluation Report
- 2008 Pollution Prevention Evaluation Report
- 2006 Pollution Prevention Evaluation Report
- 2004 Pollution Prevention Evaluation Report
- 2002 Pollution Prevention Evaluation Report
- 2000 Pollution Prevention Evaluation Report
- 1998 Pollution Prevention Evaluation Report
What's in this report?
Report contents
The primary goals of the Toxic Pollution Prevention Act are to protect public health and the environment through pollution prevention, and raise awareness of the need for and benefits of pollution prevention. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reports on these and other elements contained within the act: technical assistance, financial assistance, awards, plans, and fees.
Technical assistance
The Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) is located at the University of Minnesota, minimizing issues of business confidentiality. MnTAP provides on-site and telephone assistance, interns, an information clearinghouse, and a coordinating role in the state materials exchange program. This report looks at the economic and environmental benefits of MnTAP's programs.
Financial assistance
The cost of demonstrating and implementing P2 technologies must compete against all other needs and opportunities a business or community has for investment. P2 grants and loans, which are matched dollar-for-dollar by the recipient, are monitored to maximize the creation of new P2 products and improved efficiencies.
Governor's Awards for Excellence in Pollution Prevention
The annual Governor's Awards program recognizes organizations that have demonstrated leadership and the economic and environmental benefits of implementing P2. The awards are an important tool for inspiring others, and winners' documented results are posted online.
Pollution prevention fees
P2 fees are collected from reporting facilities by the MPCA based upon the quantity and number of chemicals released to the environment. The revenue is allocated to the state's Environmental Fund, a portion of which funds state P2 programs.
Pollution prevention plans
The approximately 400 facilities that report under TRI are required to develop non-public P2 plans as a means to integrate P2 into facility operations. By requiring reporting facilities to develop P2 plans, managers have the opportunity to become more aware of "front-end" P2 solutions to waste, and the company is better able to realize the significant economic and environmental savings yielded by pollution prevention. Facilities that report to TRI, but do not release any toxic chemicals, are exempt from the P2 planning requirement. Although a facility's plan is not public, progress in implementing plans is reported to the Minnesota Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act Program each year, and the MPCA evaluates progress based on those submissions.
