The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released the 2021 Toxics Release Inventory National Analysis.
The report ensures "environmental releases of chemicals from facilities covered by the program remained below pre-pandemic levels" across the country, according to a March 16 EPA news release.
"The latest Toxic Release Inventory report for Region 2 is encouraging news, showing decreases over time in chemical releases and an increase in recycling and waste management,” EPA Regional Administrator Lisa Garcia said in the release.
In 2021, facilities managed 89% of their chemical waste through recycling, energy recovery and treatment, and much of the decrease in chemical releases was to emissions into the air, the release reported. However, facilities in Region 2 reported an almost 4% increase in releases of TRI chemicals into the environment in 2021 compared to the height of the pandemic in 2020.
Facilities in Region 2 used preferred practices for almost 95% of the waste they generated, and 10% of facilities in Region 2 implemented new source reduction activities, according to the release. More than 21,000 facilities submitted reports on more than 530 chemicals released into the environment or otherwise managed as waste. The report features updated options and analytical tools to make data more useful and accessible to communities.
The TRI National Analysis Sector Profiles highlights the plastic products manufacturing sector alongside the standard profiles for electric utilities, chemical manufacturing and metal mining, allowing readers to learn about releases and waste management of TRI chemicals, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, from facilities in these sectors. The data can be used by community groups, policymakers and other stakeholders to better understand which communities may experience a disproportionate pollution burden and take action at the local level, the release reported.
"The TRI data is an important tool to equip the public with the information they need and continues to ensure the community's right to know about toxic chemicals used or stored at nearby facilities," Garcia added, according to the release. "We will build on this positive momentum and continue working with facilities and industry to further reduce chemical releases."
