Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting

What businesses are required to submit TRI reports?

A business must submit a TRI report if:

• It meets chemical activity thresholds for a TRI-listed chemical, and
• It is in a covered industry sector or a federal facility; and
• It exceeds the employee threshold (10 or more) or
• Is required to report as determined by EPA’s Administrator under EPCRA 313(b)(2).

Facilities required to submit TRI reports are often larger industrial or federal facilities (e.g., manufacturing, hazardous waste treatment, etc.). To determine if your facility is required to report depends on your:

• Industry sector.
• North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code.

What is considered a “release”?

Releases in TRI are classified as either "on-site" or "off-site."

• On-site release: When a facility emits or disposes of a toxic chemical to land, air, or water.
• Off-site release: When a facility transfers a toxic chemical off-site for disposal, including releases to wastewater that goes to a publicly owned sewage treatment facility.

How is this data used?

TRI is used to better understand:

• Potential risks from chemical releases.
• Ways to improve safety.
• Ways to protect the environment.

Environmental justice

TRI data provides communities and researchers critical information about potential environmental hazards and pollution. For instance, studies that used TRI data have shown that low-income populations and communities of color across the nation are more likely to live near industrial facilities than other communities. 

TRI data over time

TRI data serves as an indicator of environmental progress over time. Federal, state, and local governments have used TRI to:

• Set priorities.
• Measure progress.
• Target areas of special and immediate concern.

For example, TRI data is used to measure pollution trends from specific industries. It shows whether industrial pollution is going up or down and helps identify if reduction targets are being met.

Frequently asked questions