EPA Publishes 2018 National Annual Toxics Release Inventory Report and Analysis; Releases from Region 7 Facilities Down 36% Since 2007
Environmental News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Key Points:
- New TRI data shows increased recycling of chemical waste nationwide
- Releases of TRI chemicals from facilities located in Region 7 states are down by 36% (81 million pounds) since 2007.
“By providing the data in the TRI National Analysis, EPA is empowering communities to protect their environment and providing companies with the information they need to work toward a stronger future,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “The latest TRI data continues to demonstrate that under President Trump environmental stewardship and economic growth continue to go hand in hand.”
“This year’s TRI data are a great example of how TRI reporting creates a strong incentive for companies to reduce pollution,” said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Assistant Administrator Alexandra Dapolito Dunn. “In addition to the TRI being an information resource for the public, TRI data help companies learn from each other’s best practices for reducing emissions and increasing source reduction.”
“The National Analysis of TRI data shows that manufacturing facilities located in EPA Region 7 states have continued the trend of decreasing the release of toxic chemicals across a wide variety of industries,” said Jim Gulliford, EPA Region 7 administrator. “This is good news for the people of our region and provides a good foundation from which we can continue working together to decrease releases in the future.”
The 2018 TRI data shows that releases of TRI chemicals in Region 7 are down by 36% (81 million pounds) since 2007, driven by decreased releases in the primary metals and metal mining sectors. In 2018, 5% of TRI facilities in Region 7 implemented new source reduction activities. Source reduction reporting rates were among the highest in the chemical manufacturing sector, where 8% 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.
The Analysis showcases industry practices for managing waste and reducing pollution at nearly 22,000 facilities that submitted TRI data for calendar year 2018. EPA encourages facilities to learn from their counterparts’ best practices and adopt additional methods for reducing pollution.
To further highlight these industry best practices, EPA is holding events in EPA regions at facilities that implemented new source reduction activities. These facilities demonstrate how innovative projects have helped to improve their environmental performance.
2018 Highlights
- Releases of TRI-covered chemicals into the environment from the manufacturing sector were lower than expected, based on economic activity.
- Facilities reported initiating 3,120 new activities to prevent or reduce the creation of TRI chemical waste.
- Nationally, the percentage of industrial TRI chemical waste that is recycled instead of released continued to increase.
Along with the 2018 TRI National Analysis, EPA is publishing a new tool on the TRI website to help explain the data reported by the metal mining sector. EPA’s new interactive graphic – which was developed with input from stakeholders – explains how metal mines operate, and generally how and where releases of TRI-listed chemicals happen.
Under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), by July 1 of each year, covered facilities must report to EPA the quantities of TRI chemicals they released to the environment during the prior calendar year. 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.
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Access the 2018 TRI National Analysis, including local data and analyses, on EPA’s website
Information on facility efforts to reduce TRI chemical releases is available on EPA’s website
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