(1) It is the goal of the Commonwealth to achieve a goal of zero discharge of pollutants into our air, water and land through voluntary pollution prevention measures, recognizing this goal may not be completely achievable by some.

(2) Education, demonstration project and technical assistance programs on pollution prevention are essential to help small- and medium-sized businesses achieve the zero discharge goal and help the public conserve resources, reduce the volume and toxicity of wastes and recycle or reclaim wastes.

(3) Hazardous and other wastes generated by small businesses and households may present dangers to the public health and the environment if managed improperly. These dangers can be greatly reduced by pollution prevention techniques, including source reduction, energy conservation, waste minimization, reduction in the toxicity of wastes generated, beneficial use, reuse, recycling and reclamation.

(4) Traditional “end-of-pipe” pollution control techniques often result in the transfer of pollutants from one environmental medium to another. Pollution prevention and source reduction techniques reduce pollution forming in the first place and lessen transfers between air, water and land.