Pollution prevention is the practice of reducing, eliminating or even better, stopping pollution before it's created, recycled or disposed. Through these activities, DEQ helps meet the needs of the present without compromising the resource needs of the future. 

DEQ does important work cleaning up pollution that has already been created. This includes recycling requirements in many localities, cleaning up emergency spills and pollution incidents, and restoring and revitalizing former hazardous waste sites for reuse. However, many of Virginia's challenges can be avoided with cleaner (and greener) ways to do business.

DEQ manages a number of voluntary programs and initiatives to assist businesses, institutions and communities with efforts to minimize their environmental footprint. Programs such as the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP) and Virginia Green encourage "going above and beyond" environmental compliance. 

VEEP encourages companies to strive for superior environmental performance by providing participants with program assistance, potential permit fee discounts and public recognition. The Virginia Green program provides additional assistance implementing pollution prevention practices in the tourism and hospitality industry. Businesses, non-profit organizations and government bodies are also recognized through the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards for successful and innovative efforts that improve Virginia’s environment.

The benefits of these programs can quickly multiply and include positive publicity and marketability, increased efficiency, cost savings and of course...a cleaner environment for all of us.

Pollution prevention case studies explain how VEEP, Virginia Green and Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award winners reduce their environmental impact. These real-world examples -- and success stories -- identify winning technologies and techniques that showcase the effectiveness of pollution prevention projects.

For more information on what the Office of Pollution Prevention accomplished in 2023 you can view the 2023 Pollution Prevention Annual Report.