Pollution prevention (P2) is any practice that reduces, eliminates, or prevents pollution at its source, also known as "source reduction."

• Source reduction is fundamentally different and more desirable than recycling, treatment and disposal.
• There are significant opportunities for industry to reduce or prevent pollution at the source through cost-effective changes in production, operation, and raw materials use.
• The opportunities for source reduction are often not realized because existing regulations focus upon treatment and disposal.