Assessing the Effectiveness of Industrial Pollution Prevention Programs

Abstract

In response to social, market, and regulatory pressures, companies are adopting innovative approaches to environmental management. Pollution prevention (P2), which advocates avoiding, eliminating, or reducing the use of polluting substances, is one such innovation. This paper proposes that program evaluation techniques can be readily adapted to guide private-sector organizations in reviewing and assessing the effectiveness of P2 programs on both a periodic and ongoing basis. A P2 program, Effectiveness Review Framework, that draws upon the Twelve Attributes of Effectiveness — developed by the Canadian Comprehensive Auditing Foundation — is outlined. A self-assessment approach — based on the Environmental Self-Assessment Program developed by the Global Environmental Management Initiative — is then presented. The overall model detailed in this paper is designed to assist managers with incorporating P2 program effectiveness reviews into their management cycle.