The Department of Environmental Quality provides assistance to businesses, institutions and the public to improve the environment and save money by adopting the three "R's" reduce, reuse and recycle.  Known also as pollution prevention, this is a non-regulatory assistance program that provides information, technical assistance and financial incentives to reduce pollution.

We offer a variety of programs and services to encourage businesses, institutions, and government agencies to pursue pollution prevention.  Under our sector partnerships, staff work with specific industrial sectors to provide customized assistance and to publicly recognize participating facilities for their accomplishments.  Other initiatives focus on specific waste streams or environmental issues of community-wide concern, and the demonstration and evaluation of P2 technology to increase its acceptance and use within industry.  

We also offer technical and financial services to assist businesses with identifying and implementing process efficiencies and alternatives to using hazardous materials.  This includes free, confidential on-site assistance is available to businesses of less than 500 employees.  Businesses may also be eligible for low interest loans, technology demonstration grants and student interns.  Our fact sheets and case studies provide information on the application of techniques to further water conservation, energy efficiency, chemical reduction and recycling.

Field staff are located at the DEQ district offices and work with local businesses, trade and professional associations, county health departments and DEQ's regulatory staff to offer assistance at the local level.