ABSTRACT
The concept of pollution prevention is emblematic of a new, proactive environmental mind-set that promises more sustainable industrial management. The case studies center on pollution prevention initiatives at three different firms, all global chemical manufacturers headquartered in the United States. The way that the private sector approaches pollution prevention is pertinent to a large set of ongoing environmental policy debates. Calls for P2 are at the center of a broad regulatory and corporate movement. Information-based programs and experiments with flexible regulation have in common the ultimate goal of preventing pollution. The Dow project involved process changes at a facility associated with polyurethane production. The facility manufactures methylene diamine diisocyanate, the primary input to polyurethane foam and thermoplastic products. The Monsanto case involves a process that, at the time, was associated with the firm’s Rubber Chemicals business unit. The environmental benefits of the DuCare system are, by design, significant.
