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Greener Cleanups

A greener cleanup is a more sustainable approach to cleaning up contaminated sites. EPA's “Principles for Greener Cleanups” provide a foundation for planning and implementing cleanups that protect human health and the environment while minimizing the environmental footprint of cleanup activities.

Objectives

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  • Learn about Greener Cleanups
  • Principles for Greener Cleanups

Implementation

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  • Superfund Green Remediation
  • Greener Cleanup Guidance under CERCLA
  • Regional and State Implementation
  • Examples of Greener Cleanups

Tools

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  • Greener Cleanup Consensus Standard
  • Spreadsheets for Environmental Footprint Analysis (SEFA)
  • Best Management Practices of Green Remediation

Core Elements

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  • Energy
  • Air and Atmosphere
  • Water
  • Materials and Waste
  • Land and Ecosystems

Featured News

Executive Order 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. Greener cleanup strategies help meet the E.O. goals by integrating renewable energy, deploying clean fuel and emission technologies, protecting water, sequestering carbon, conserving land, protecting critical ecosystems and biodiversity, and using nature-based solutions. 

Executive Order 14057 on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability. The E.O. sets policy to build a sustainable infrastructure and achieve a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035 and net-zero economy-wide by 2050.

Industry Standard

Learn about the ASTM Standard Guide for Greener Cleanups.

Learn More

Visit the Green Remediation Focus Website to find related technical information and project profiles.

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Last updated on January 19, 2022