TUR Professionals

Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) professionals are experts in helping businesses and communities find opportunities to reduce the use of toxics.  TURI trains professionals in the methodology of TUR, including alternatives assessment.We provide general education for those who wish to become versed in this fundamental tool for preventing pollution and protecting workers from chemical exposures, as well as more specific training for those who wish to become certified TUR Planners.

TUR Planners are environmental, safety, or process professionals who are certified by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), which requires successful completion of the certification course and exam, and/or sufficient demonstration of relevant education and experience.  TUR Planners are certified to develop and certify toxics use reduction plans for companies, including those that are required to report under the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA).  TUR Planners also assist companies with their toxics use reporting obligations.

There are two types of TUR Planners:

1. General Practice Planners may act as consultants to multiple clients, assisting them with plan development and certification. General Practice TUR Planners must pass the certification exam administered by MassDEP. Preparation for this exam is achieved by completing the 48- hour TUR Planner certification course offered by TURI.
2. Limited Practice Planners may certify plans only for the facility that employs them.  Increasingly, companies choose to send their staff to the TUR Planner certification course to assure excellence in their in-house TUR planning.

Once certified, TUR Planners are certified for a period of two years, during which they are required to obtain continuing education credits from MassDEP during that period. TURI, in conjunction with OTA and MassDEP, provides continuing education opportunities for credit.

MassDEP maintains Policies and Guidance for TUR planners.

TUR Planning: Reducing Toxics at the Source

The planning requirement was one of the novel innovations in source reduction pioneered by the landmark Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) when it became law in 1990. Whereas traditional environmental regulations focused on controlling emissions and releases of pollutants to the environment, TURA promoted preventive strategies – reducing the use of toxic chemicals and the generation of hazardous waste before recycling, treatment, or disposal.

Alternative Planning Options

The 2006 Amendments to the Toxics Use Reduction Act created opportunities within the TURA framework for Resource Conservation (RC) and Environmental Management Systems (EMS) planning.

Benefits of Planning

Through Toxics Use Reduction planning, companies in Massachusetts have reduced their hazardous waste by over 66% since 1989. At the same time, companies are realizing rewards in savings and in the marketplace. Companies:

• Identify production process efficiency opportunities
• Understand the true costs and liabilities associated with toxics
• Implement changes that help them stay competitive and sustainable for the long-term
• Promote safer work environments and healthier communities

Over 1000 professionals from industry, government and academia have been trained and certified as Toxics Use Reduction Planners. Learn about becoming a TUR Planner here.

Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) planning helps companies of any size understand and assess opportunities to be more sustainable. In Massachusetts TUR plans are developed according to the regulations and must be updated every two years.
At a high level, Plans describe:
● The scope of the Plan
● The process using toxics, including a diagram that shows relevant operations and flow of toxic chemicals throughout
● The unit of product, which is used to normalize data for changes in production
● The purpose, quantity, cost and fate of all toxic chemicals used
● The options considered and the technical feasibility and economic impacts of implementing those options.

Plan documents are maintained at the facility and a Plan Summary is submitted to the State. The Plan Summary includes data about historic and projected changes in use and byproduct generation for each chemical.
Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) techniques that must be considered when planning include:
● Toxic chemical substitution
● Production process modification
● Finished product reformulation
● Production modernization
● Improvements in operations and maintenance
● In-process recycling of production material