Annual Pollution Prevention Industry Survey

Nearly fifty (50%) percent of respondents have an ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System (EMS), and twenty-eight (28%) percent of facilities have an EMS that conforms to the ISO standards but are not certified. Eight (8%) percent of respondents have unique in-house EMS programs that are developed by their respective companies. Twenty (20%) percent of facilities had no EMS

Twenty-six (26%) percent of respondents are designated or self-designated as a Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL) facility. ZWTL still has no official or common definition, but it is generally accepted to be at least 95% of discards being reused, recycled, or otherwise not landfilled. Seventy-four (74%) percent of facilities responding to the survey are not ZWTL. Common obstacles to this goal vary widely but usually are vendor capabilities, lack of monetary commitment and/or issues with materials substitutions. Most often mentioned is that certain non-recyclable products are necessary, and any substitutions may compromise the quality of products.

Forty-seven (47%) percent of respondents have non-hazardous byproducts that could have other uses. Impediments to this are a lack of recycling vendors and prohibitive costs for processing and transportation.

Twenty-two (22%) percent would like assistance with finding a beneficial end-use of materials discards. Lack of partners, low quantities, and materials unique to processes are the major challenges. OSP will be in direct contact with each of these respondents to offer further assistance.

Thirty-one (31%) percent of responding facilities participate in demand response programs for energy use curtailment and management during peak times.

The most popular energy reduction project was lighting upgrades with ninety-six (96%) percent of facilities indicating that they have upgraded. Sixty-four (64%) percent implemented other practices or installed more efficient equipment other than lighting.

Tennessee 3 Star Industrial Assessment Center offers in-depth energy assessments at no cost to qualifying Tennessee industries. OSP will refer the twenty-five (25%) percent of our survey respondents expressing interest to the TTU-IAC program participating universities for potential assessments.

Over ninety-seven (97%) percent of survey respondents report toxic releases to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Fifty-seven (57%) percent of respondents have an ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System (EMS), and twenty-three (23%) percent of facilities have an EMS that conforms to the ISO standards but are not certified. Six (6%) percent of respondents have unique in-house EMS programs that are developed by their respective companies. Thirteen (13%) percent of facilities had no EMS.  

Twenty-two (22%) percent of respondents are designated or self-designated as a Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL) facility.ZWTL still has no official or common definition, but it is generally accepted to be at least 95% of discards being reused, recycled, or otherwise not landfilled. Seventy-eight (78%) percent of facilities responding to the survey are not ZWTL. Common obstacles to this goal vary widely but usually are vendor capabilities, lack of monetary commitment and/or issues with materials substitutions. Most often mentioned is that certain non-recyclable products are necessary, and any substitutions may compromise the quality of products. 

Forty (40%) percent of respondents have non-hazardous byproducts that could have other uses. Impediments to this are a lack of recycling vendors and prohibitive costs for processing and transportation. 

Forty-two (42%) percent would like assistance with finding a beneficial end-use of materials discards. Lack of partners, low quantities, and materials unique to processes are the major challenges. OSP will be in direct contact with each of these respondents to offer further assistance. 

Thirty-six (36%) percent of responding facilities participate in demand response programs for energy use curtailment and management during peak times. 

The most popular energy reduction project was lighting upgrades with ninety-seven (97%) percent of facilities indicating that they have upgraded. Sixty-one (61%) percent implemented other practices or installed more efficient equipment other than lighting.

The Tennessee 3 Star Industrial Assessment Center offers in-depth energy assessments at no cost to qualifying Tennessee industries. OSP will refer the thirty-three (33%) percent of our survey respondents expressing interest to the TTU-IAC program participating universities for potential assessments. 

Over ninety-two (92%) percent of survey respondents report toxic releases to the US Environmental Protection Agency.