299.13 Pollution prevention.

(1) Definitions. In this section:

(b) “Capacity assurance plan" means the plan submitted under 42 USC 9604 (c) (9) for the management of hazardous waste generated in this state.

(be) “Center" means the solid and hazardous waste education center under s. 36.25 (30).

(d) “Hazardous waste" has the meaning given in s. 289.01 (12).

(dm)

1. “Pollution prevention" means an action that does any of the following:

a. Prevents waste from being created.

b. Reduces the amount of waste that is created.

c. Changes the nature of waste being created in a way that reduces the hazards to public health or the environment posed by the waste.

2. “Pollution prevention" does not include incineration, recycling or treatment of a waste, changes in the manner of disposal of a waste or any practice that changes the characteristics or volume of a waste if the practice is not part of the process that produces a product or provides a service.

(f) “Release" means emission to the air, discharge to the waters of the state or disposal on the land.

(g) “Toxic pollutants" has the meaning given in s. 283.01 (17).

(1m) Promotion of pollution prevention. In carrying out the duties under this section and s. 36.25 (30), the department and the center shall promote all of the following techniques for pollution prevention:

(a) Replacing a hazardous substance used in a process with a substance that is not hazardous or is less hazardous.

(b) Reformulating a product so that the product is not hazardous or is less hazardous upon use, release or disposal.

(c) Changing processes and equipment that produce hazardous substances, toxic pollutants or hazardous waste.

(d) Improving operation of production processes and equipment.

(e) Reusing or otherwise reducing the demand for hazardous substances within processes.

(f) Reducing energy use.

(g) Training employees to minimize waste.

(2) Department duties. The department shall do all of the following:

(a) Designate an employee of the department to serve as pollution prevention coordinator and to do all of the following:

2. Recommend educational priorities to the University of Wisconsin-Extension for the center, considering volume and toxicity of hazardous substances, toxic pollutants and hazardous waste produced, lack of compliance with environmental standards, potential for pollution prevention, and projected shortfalls in hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities under the capacity assurance plan.

3. Coordinate the department's pollution prevention efforts with those of other governmental agencies and private groups.

4. Provide training concerning pollution prevention to employees of the department.

(b) Identify all department requirements for reporting on pollution prevention and, to the extent possible and practical, standardize, coordinate and consolidate the reporting in order to minimize duplication and provide useful information on pollution prevention to the legislature and the public.

(c) Assist the University of Wisconsin-Extension in conducting the education program under s. 36.25 (30).

(d) Seek federal funding to promote pollution prevention.

History: 1989 a. 325, 359; 1991 a. 32, 39; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 27 ss. 4337 to 4349, 9116 (5); 1995 a. 227 s. 820; Stats. 1995 s. 299.13; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 103; 2011 a. 32.

Note: See 1989 Wis. Act 325, which creates this section, for a declaration of legislative findings and purpose.