The Department strives to prevent or reduce pollution at the source whenever feasible. Pollutants and wastes that cannot be prevented through source reduction are diverted from entering the waste stream through environmentally safe and cost-effective reuse or recycling, to the greatest extent practicable.
The DOE Pollution Prevention, Waste Reduction and Recycling Program supports DOE Order 436.1, Departmental Sustainability. Under this Program, Headquarters assists DOE Field and Program Offices in the implementation waste prevention and recycling measures, and compliance with all Federal requirements with regard to solid, hazardous, and toxic waste management and disposal.
Meeting these requirements will be accomplished by working with DOE’s Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Focus Group, the Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG) - Industrial Hygiene and Safety Technical Task Group, and other environmental subgroups.