Pollution prevention (P2) is the reduction or elimination of wastes and pollutants _____ their sources. For all
the pollution that is avoided ______ the first place, there is that much less pollution to manage, treat, dispose
_____, or clean ____. P2 can encompass activities such as:
• redesigning products to cause less waste or pollution _____ manufacture, use, or disposal
• altering production processes to minimize the use ___ toxic chemicals
• implementing better housekeeping practices to minimize leaks and fugitive releases ___ manufacturing
processes
• taking steps to reduce energy consumption
Pollution prevention within industry generally receives the most attention. However, P2 efforts ____ other
sectors are equally important. For example, planting pest- resistant crops can reduce or eliminate the need
____ chemical pesticides, thereby reducing the water, air, and soil pollution that results _____ the
manufacture and use of agricultural chemicals. In office settings, simple steps such as making double-sided
copies and printing drafts ___ the back sides of discarded paper can substantially reduce the consumption
and disposal ___ paper products. ____ the home, minimizing the use of toxic household chemicals such as
drain cleaners and herbicides will reduce the amount of hazardous chemicals that eventually end ____
_____ the environment. The range of P2 opportunities is constrained only ___ the limits ____ our
imagination and ingenuity, and the strength of our commitment ____ improving our relationship ___ the
environment.
Exercise 5. Complete the texts with active vocabulary
Text 1
A) a resolution
B) international issue
C) under the auspices
D) advocating
E) to clean up
F) the environment
G) pollution
H) no-waste technologies
I) use of resources
J) representatives
K) air pollution
L) to eliminate the causes
M) conventional
N) compatible with
In November 1979, the ministers of 1.____________ from the European countries and 2.______________
from the United States and Canada met in Geneva 3. _____________ of the Economic Commission for
Europe on the Protection of the Environment. Their purpose was to decrease 4. ____________ from
industrial wastes. Long-range transboundary 5._____________, or "acid rain," from the world's metallurgy
and power plants was thought to be damaging northern lakes and forests and had grown into a major
6._____________. The ministers and representatives signed 7. ______________ to "limit, gradually reduce,
and prevent" this form of pollution. They also adopted a declaration stating that "economic development and
technological progress must be 8. _____________ the protection of the environment" and 9.
______________ the use of 10. ____________ in their countries' industries.
Government, industry and the public are beginning to become aware of the shortcomings of
11.______________ pollution controls, not to mention their cost. Pollution Prevention Pays utilizies the
concept that the conservation approach should be used 12.____________________ of pollution before
spending money and resources 13.________________ afterward. The conservation approach is the
practical application of knowledge, methods, and means to provide the most rational
14.___________________ to improve the environment.
Text 2