The Toxics Release Inventory
Past, Present, and Future Directions
By
Stephen C. DeVito, Ph.D., R.Ph.
U.S. EPA
October, 2012
04/10/2023 1
04/10/2023 2
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
EP
CR
A
1988: 2nd year of TRI reporting under Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
04/10/2023 3
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-1989
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
EP
CR
A
04/10/2023 4
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-1990
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
EP
CR
A
04/10/2023 5
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-1991
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
PP
A
EP
CR
A
1991: Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) adds waste management reporting to TRI.
04/10/2023 6
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-1992
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
PP
A
EP
CR
A
04/10/2023 7
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-1993
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
PP
A
EP
CR
A
04/10/2023 8
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-1994
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
PP
A
EP
CR
A
04/10/2023 9
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-1995
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
1995: Chemical expansion adds close to 300 chemicals to TRI.
04/10/2023 10
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-1996
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
04/10/2023 11
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-1997
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
04/10/2023 12
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-1998
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
SE
CT
OR
S
1998: Seven industry sectors are added to TRI – metal mining, coal mining, electric utilities, chemical wholesale distributors, petroleum bulk storage/terminals, hazardous waste management facilities, and solvent recovery facilities.
04/10/2023 13
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-1999
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
SE
CT
OR
S
04/10/2023 14
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-2000
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
SE
CT
OR
S
PB
Ts
2000: Persistent bioaccumulative toxic (PBT) chemicals are added to TRI and the reporting thresholds are lowered for both recently added PBT chemicals and most previously covered PBT chemicals.
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-2001
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
04/10/2023 15
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
SE
CT
OR
S
PB
Ts
LE
AD
2001: The reporting thresholds are lowered for Lead and Lead Compounds, PBT chemicals.
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-2002
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
04/10/2023 16
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
SE
CT
OR
S
PB
Ts
LE
AD
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-2003
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
04/10/2023 17
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
SE
CT
OR
S
PB
Ts
LE
AD
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-2004
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
04/10/2023 18
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
SE
CT
OR
S
PB
Ts
LE
AD
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-2005
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
04/10/2023 19
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
SE
CT
OR
S
PB
Ts
LE
AD
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-2006
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
04/10/2023 20
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
SE
CT
OR
S
PB
Ts
LE
AD
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-2007
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
04/10/2023 21
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
SE
CT
OR
S
PB
Ts
LE
AD
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-2008
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
04/10/2023 22
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
SE
CT
OR
S
PB
Ts
LE
AD
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-2009
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
04/10/2023 23
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
SE
CT
OR
S
PB
Ts
LE
AD
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-2010
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-2010
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
04/10/2023 24
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
SE
CT
OR
S
PB
Ts
LE
AD
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-2010
Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteManufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Number of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
0
5
10
15
20
25
30TRI Trends: 1988-2010
Manufacturers: Releases and Disposal Other Sectors: Releases and Disposal Manufacturers: Total Production-related Waste Other Sectors: Total Production-related WasteNumber of Reporters
Poun
ds (b
illio
ns)
Repo
rter
s (T
hous
ands
)
04/10/2023 25
PP
A
CH
EM
ICA
LS
EP
CR
A
SE
CT
OR
S
PB
Ts
LE
AD
TRI Explorer
First streamlined Public Data
Release Report
Data released to the public shortly after they were
submitted("e-FDR“)
TRI-MEweb piloted
First Public Data Release in same year as data were
submitted
myRTK
TRI.net
TRI-ME TRI-MEweb implemented
We have come a long way !
• The TRI has evolved considerably since the passage of EPCRA in 1986:– reported chemical release and other waste
management quantities has declined steadily.– Access to TRI data has been greatly enhanced;
• Newly submitted data are now in the hands of the public within a few weeks rather than nearly two years;
• A diverse suite of tools now exists for analyzing the data.
04/10/2023 26
We have come a long way !
• Dramatic improvements have also been made to:– The data submission process;– The quality of TRI data, and – how TRI information can be accessed, analyzed and
used by communities, academics, non-profits, industry and others.
04/10/2023 27
The TRI has Impacted the World !• The TRI was the very first public pollutant
release transfer registry (PRTR);• There are now at least 50 countries that have
a PRTR program;– Most were modeled after the TRI
• More countries are expected to start PRTRs– Particularly in South America and Central America
04/10/2023 28
Countries that Have PRTR Programs
29
Countries that Have PRTR Programs, or Pilot PRTR Programs:
30
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
As for the Future ?
• EPA is committed to continue to draw upon the ongoing advancements in information technology to:– improve the accessibility and quality of TRI data;– make TRI available sooner;– address ever-evolving user needs.
04/10/2023 31
Information Technology
As for the Future ?
• Emphasis is expected to be placed on how communities can use TRI data to effect change:– Further engagement with communities;– Engagement with colleges and universities.– What communities can do to make TRI data and
information more actionable.
04/10/2023 32
Communities
As for the Future ?
Ever growing emphasis on it worldwide.
33
Sept., 2011: National Academy of Sciences book.
Recommends EPA to :- formally adopt a sustainability paradigm;- articulate its vision for sustainability, and develop sustainability principles.
Sustainable Development
As for the Future ?
• People, regulatory authorities and other organizations will turn to the TRI as a means to assess progress towards sustainability;– TRI collects pollution prevention information.
• The role of TRI data and information in sustainability will therefore need to be better defined.
04/10/2023 34
Sustainable Development
As for the Future ?
• There will also be a need to assess progress in sustainability:– On a continental level;– On a global level.
• PRTR data from different countries will need to be combined and viewed and analyzed more from a continental and global context.
04/10/2023 35
Sustainable Development
As for the Future ?• To use PRTR data globally…..
– existing PRTR data will need to be more comparable (this will be difficult);
– Emerging PRTRs will need to be constructed such that the data they collect will be readily comparable with existing PRTRs
• There will be a need to analyze PRTR datasets with other datasets– Do we know how to mash-up PRTR data sets
with other datasets ?
04/10/2023 36