Describe the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990

What will be an ideal response?

In recognition of a decline in the effectiveness of direct pollution regulation and the consequent need to look for alternative approaches to pollution problems, the U.S. Congress passed the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, which sets forth the following policy:
Pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source whenever feasible; pollution that cannot be prevented should be recycled in an environmentally safe manner, whenever feasible; pollution that cannot be prevented or recycled should be treated in an environmentally safe manner whenever feasible; and disposal or other release into the environment should be employed only as a last resort and should be conducted in an environmentally safe manner.
The government's role in encouraging this policy is one of providing a "carrot" as opposed to the "stick" of direct end-pipe regulations. The federal government is providing states with matching funds under the act for programs to promote the use of source reduction techniques for business. A clearinghouse has been established to compile the data generated by the grants and to serve as a center for source reduction technology transfer.