Green Remediation Focus

State-of-the-art technologies, novel field methods, and "tried and true" design and engineering techniques can be combined to address the core elements of green remediation. Best management practices are in place under a range of cleanup programs including Superfund, RCRA, federal facility, brownfield, and state voluntary actions. Explore details about the site-specific profiles available below.

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• Application of the ASTM Standard Guide for Greener Cleanups at the North Ridge Estates Superfund Site (2pp, 577K)

Executive Order 14072: Strengthening the Nation's Forests, Communities, and Local Economies
This April 22, 2022, E.O. sets forth federal policy to deploy climate-smart forestry and other nature-based solutions to improve resilience of lands, waters, wildlife and communities in the face of disturbances and stress arising from climate impacts. The solutions include actions that protect coasts and critical marine ecosystems, reduce flooding, moderate extreme heat, replenish groundwater sources, capture and store carbon dioxide, and conserve biodiversity. Cleanup at Port Hadlock's Site 10 North End Landfill illustrates how such solutions can be planned and implemented at Superfund sites in coastal settings.

Executive Order 14057: Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability
This December 8, 2021, E.O. sets forth federal policy to lead by example in order to achieve a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050.

Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad
This January 27, 2021, E.O. sets forth policy and initiatives to advance our transition to clean energy and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Use of greener cleanup strategies in the U.S. EPA's Superfund and other site cleanup programs helps meet the policy goals by integrating renewable energy, deploying clean fuel and emission technologies, protecting water, sequestering carbon, conserving land, protecting critical ecosystems and biodiversity, and using nature-based solutions.

• Principles for Greener Cleanups
• Superfund Green Remediation
• EPA guidance on greener cleanup activities under CERCLA (14pp, 2.64MB)
• EPA regional policies
• State resources
• ASTM Standard Guide for Greener Cleanups

• Design, construction, & operations
• Renewable energy applications
• System optimization
• Cleanup Service Contracting (8pp, 760K) *New*

• Greener Cleanups Best Management Practices: PCB Cleanups (8pp, 760K) *New*
• Excavation and Surface Restoration (5pp, 286K)
• Site Investigation and Environmental Monitoring (4pp, 179K)
• Pump and Treat Systems (6pp, 673K)
• Bioremediation (4pp, 493K)
• Soil Vapor Extraction & Other Air-Driven Systems (4pp, 457K)
• Clean Fuel & Emission Technologies for Site Cleanup (10pp, 354K)
• Integrating Renewable Energy (6 pp, 840K)
• Sites with Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (4pp, 216K)
• Waste Cover Systems and Integrated Site Reuse Planning (5 pp, 641K)
• Mining Sites (6pp, 535K)
• Implementing In Situ Thermal Technologies (6pp, 249K)
• Materials and Waste Management (4pp, 397K)

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Learn about footprint assessment tools and view comprehensive reports on footprint evaluations conducted at sites undergoing cleanup. EPA's universal greener cleanup metrics provide a uniform and transparent approach to quantifying the environmental footprint associated with materials, wastes, water or energy that are used or generated during a cleanup. EPA's Spreadsheets for Environmental Footprint Analysis (SEFA) tool is available to help evaluate the environmental footprint of a cleanup project at a detailed level.

• Related technical materials
• Other federal resources
• Industry & advisory groups
• Conferences, Seminars, and Media