(415 ILCS 85/2) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 7952)
Sec. 2.
Findings.
(a) The General Assembly finds:
(1) that significant opportunities may exist for industry to eliminate or
reduce the generation of toxic substances at the source through
modifications in production, operation and raw materials use;
(2) that such modifications may offer significant savings through
reduced raw materials, insurance and pollution control costs and are
likely to improve worker health and safety;
(3) that toxic pollution prevention opportunities are not realized
because (i) existing regulations focus on treatment and disposal of wastes that have
already been generated, rather than reducing the use of toxic substances at
the source; (ii) existing regulations do not emphasize multimedia management
of waste; and (iii) industries may need technical assistance for toxic
pollution prevention;
(4) that State environmental agencies can help promote toxic pollution
prevention by disseminating information about such strategies to a range of
industries, both large and small; and
(5) that some industries may require on-site technical assistance from the State.
(b) It is the purpose of this Act to reduce the disposal and release of
toxic substances which may have adverse and serious health and environmental
effects, to promote toxic pollution prevention as the preferred means for
achieving compliance with environmental laws and regulations, to establish
State programs that provide high-level attention to toxic pollution prevention
policy initiatives, to integrate existing regulatory programs to promote
toxic pollution prevention, and to stimulate toxic pollution prevention
strategies by industry.
(Source: P.A. 86-914.)
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