Search

EPA Unveils 2019 TRI Report

Posted on 1/22/2021 by Lauren Scott

Last week, EPA released its annual Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis for 2019. The TRI Report chronicles chemical waste management activities at public and private entities as part of Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) compliance.

Since the new report publishes data from 2019, it is important to note these figures illustrate EPCRA compliance primarily before SARS-CoV-2 emerged on the global stage.
Read the complete 2019 TRI Report.

In 2019, private industrial companies and Federal facilities ramped up source reduction activities that aim to reduce or eliminate chemical waste, reporting the first increase in the last five years. Moreover, 89 percent of chemical-containing waste generated at these facilities was successfully managed through recycling, treatment, and energy recovery.

The TRI Report also shows most facilities identified new opportunities for source reduction was through participative team management. This suggests that many companies and Federal facilities view source reduction as a collaborative team effort.

Read more: 5 Tips for EPCRA TRI Reports Due July 1 (2019) 

Source Reduction in the Chemical Manufacturing Sector

Year over year, the chemical manufacturing sector consistently managed the most chemical waste of any TRI-covered sector. In 2019 alone, the chemical manufacturing sector managed nearly 17 billion lbs., or 55% of all chemical waste managed under TRI.

Production-related waste managed at chemical manufacturing facilities decreased in 2019 by 501 million pounds, or 3%. This decrease was largely driven by the activities of just three facilities in the sector.
Facilities found creative ways to manage and reduce their chemical waste. A few examples include:
  • A paint and coatings manufacturing facility reduced xylene waste by scheduling batches to minimize waste produced during cleanouts between batches.
  • An organic chemical manufacturing facility reduced its use of diphenylamine by changing the reaction formulation to increase batch yield and minimize the amount of unreacted material produced as waste.


Releases of Chemicals Overall and by Region

Across all industries, total disposal and other releases were reduced by 9% in 2019. This was largely due a 13% decrease in on-site land disposals.

Although Region 10 in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska manages one of the lowest amounts of product-related waste out of all regions, it accounted for over 25% of releases in 2019. These releases were largely generated by metal mines.

Region 6 in the South Central US had the largest quantity of production-related waste managed, driven by facilities in the chemical manufacturing sector treating chemicals, such as ethylene, toluene, and propylene, on site.


Is Your Facility Required Submit TRI Reporting Data?

A facility must report if it is in a covered industry sector and exceeds the established employee and chemical thresholds. EPA has created a TRI Threshold Screening Tool to help managers and executives determine if their facilities are required to report.

The deadline to report for Fiscal Year 2020 is July 1, 2021.
 

2021 Complete EPA Regulations Training | Jan. 26–27

Join a Lion instructor for live Complete Environmental Regulations training on January 26–27. This unique two-day webinar covers the latest environmental regulations you should be familiar with for 2021, including: 
  • EPA's new Waters of the US (WOTUS) Rule.
  • Major Lautenberg Law amendments to TSCA.
  • CSB's new chemical release reporting rule.
  • The latest Clean Air Act requirements for facilities.
Identify the EPA air, water, and chemical requirements that impact your activities. You will leave the webinar with a better understanding of how these programs fit together and what you must do to comply.  
 
Or learn at your own pace with these two easy-to-use online courses: 
Complete Environmental Regulations Online Course
Superfund and Right-to-Know Act Regulations
 

Tags: CERCLA, chemicals, environmental, EPA, EPCRA, TRI

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The workshop covered a lot of information without being too overwhelming. Lion is much better, more comprehensive than other training providers.

George Alva

Manufacturing Manager

My experience with Lion training, both online and in the classroom, is that they are far better organized and provide a better sequential explanation of the material.

Robert Roose

Manager, Dangerous Goods Transportation

You blew the doors off the competition!

Stephen Bieschke

Facilities Manager

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I have over 26 years of environmental compliance experience, and it has been some time since I have attended an environmental regulations workshop. I attended this course as preparation for EHS Audits for my six plants, and it was exactly what I was looking for.

Frank Sizemore

Director of Regulatory Affairs

Lion does a great job summarizing and communicating complicated EH&S-related regulations.

Michele Irmen

Sr. Environmental Engineer

The instructor was probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.

Mary Sue Michon

Environmental Administrator

Energetic/enthusiastic! Made training enjoyable, understandable and fun!

Amanda Walsh

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor was very very informative, helpful, understandable and pleasant. This course answered many questions I had, being new to this industry.

Frances Mona

Shipping Manager

Having the tutorial buttons for additional information was extremely beneficial.

Sharon Ziemek

EHS Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Four key considerations to help you maximize the convenience and quality of your experience with online training.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.