Reported Barriers to Source Reduction
Facilities have the option to inform EPA of barriers that prevented them from implementing new source reduction activities by selecting from nine codes that describe common barriers. Analyzing the barrier information that facilities report helps EPA and others identify where more research is needed to address technological challenges or develop viable alternatives. It may also allow for better collaboration between those with knowledge of source reduction practices and those seeking additional assistance. This figure shows the types of barriers facilities reported for metals and for all other (non-metal) TRI chemicals.
Note: Facilities have the option to report barriers to source reduction by selecting from nine codes. These codes are defined in the TRI Reporting Forms and Instructions.
From 2018 to 2022:
- Facilities reported barriers to implementing source reduction for 300 TRI chemicals and chemical categories.
- No Known Substitutes was the most frequently reported barrier for both metals and non-metals.
- Excluding metals, facilities reported No Known Substitutes most frequently for nitrate compounds. Facilities often report that nitrate compounds are produced during sanitization or waste treatment processes for which there are no known alternatives.
- For the No Known Substitutes barrier for metals, many facilities reported the presence of the TRI metal in their raw materials (e.g., metal alloys) as the reason they could not implement source reduction activities. Examples include:
- A farm equipment manufacturing facility reported that lead is an impurity in the steel purchased to manufacture equipment. [Click to view facility details in the TRI P2 Search Tool]
- A basic organic chemical manufacturer is exploring alternatives, but reported that currently there are no viable substitutes nor alternative technologies for a process using chromium compounds in a catalyst. [Click to view facility details in the TRI P2 Search Tool]
- Reduction Not Technically Feasible was a common barrier for metals and non-metals. Facilities select this barrier code when additional reductions do not appear feasible. For example:
- A dental equipment and supplies manufacturing facility reported that after implementing dry salination in the manufacturing of new composites to reduce methanol use, further source reduction is not feasible because of regulations for Class II Medical Devices. [Click to view facility details in the TRI P2 Search Tool]
- You can view source reduction barriers for any TRI chemical by using the TRI P2 Search Tool.
This page was published in March 2024 and uses the 2022 TRI National Analysis dataset made public in TRI Explorer in October 2023.