Best management practices (BMPs) were introduced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
in the late 1970s to prevent the release of toxic and hazardous pollutants to surface waters as part of the
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting process. Many facilities currently implement
successful measures to reduce and control environmental releases of all types of pollutants both formally as part of
BMP plans, and informally as part of unwritten standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Many of the same environmental controls promoted as part of a BMP plan may currently be used by industry in stormwater
pollution prevention plans, spill prevention control and countermeasure (SPCC) plans, Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) safety programs, fire protection programs, insurance policy requirements, or SOPs.
Types of BMPs
BMPs may be divided into general or facility-specific BMPs. Common general BMPs include good housekeeping, preventive maintenance,
inspections, security, employee training, and recordkeeping and reporting. Facility-specific BMPs may include many different practices
such as source reduction and on-site recycling/reuse.
Benefits of Having BMPs
Implementing BMPs provides an opportunity for pollution prevention, which in turn will help minimize the risk for a spill or release of
hazardous materials to the environment. BMPs can also help reduce long term costs through operational changes, reduction in health and
safety risks to employees, substitution to more environmentally safe products, and reduction in waste generation through recycling/reuse.
