- Environmental justice
- Pollution prevention


[SLIDE 1]

Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Unfortunately, many hazardous waste sites are located in impoverished areas. The majority of the residents are usually non-Caucasian.

The largest landfill is located in Emelle, Alabama where 90% of the population is African American. Also, hazardous waste has been dumped near Native American communities and federally subsidized housing.


[SLIDE 2]

Pollution prevention is the best method of reducing waste and toxins. While a catalytic converter can control pollution, using a hybrid car or one running on renewable energy can completely eliminate pollution from happening in the first place.

Benefits of having a pollution prevention approach rather than just attempting to control pollution include:
- better product design
- better manufacturing process with less waste
- cost savings
- less waste 

Increasingly, more companies are marketing green products that are more environmentally friendly. As an individual consumer, you can reduce or stop using polluting products, reuse and recycle products and buy green products. Individual consumers have more power than they realize. What you purchase influences the market, and when consumers demand more eco-friendly products, retailers have to step up and create them. This has already happened with healthier food options and is now extending into non-perishable consumer products.