Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) Online Planning

Next steps for Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) Online Planning

1. Important Note: COVID-19

   Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MassDEP will treat as timely any Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) Report and Plan Summary filed up to 120 days after the original July 1, 2020, deadline (or by November 1, 2020).

   All other TUR requirements under M.G.L. Chapter 21I and 310 CMR 50.000 remain in effect, and the facilities subject to them must to continue to comply, as well as operate in a manner that is protective of public health and the environment.

   See the Amended Guidance below to learn more.

   Open PDF file, 129.88 KB, for Amended Toxics Use Reduction Planning & Reporting Guidance During COVID-19 Pandemic (PDF 129.88 KB)

2. What to Know

   A Toxics Use Reduction (TUR) Plan is a document that provides both economic and technical evaluations of the toxics use reduction opportunities available to a company, and identifies those methods, if any, that the company intends to implement.

   The company is not obligated to submit the plan itself to the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), but is required to obtain approval of the plan from a MassDEP-certified TUR Planner and provide the agency with a summary that includes a signed plan certification statement.

   Once a company has completed an initial toxics use reduction plan and two plan updates, it can develop a resource conservation plan addressing water, energy, or materials use (allowed every other planning cycle) or implement an environmental management system (EMS) in lieu of a TUR plan provided the EMS addresses toxics.

   Failing to file annual reports, develop plans or pay toxics use fees can result in MassDEP enforcement action, including financial penalties. 

3. Review the Guidance

   Instructions on how to prepare and submit your TUR Plan summary or alternative.

   Open PDF file, 2.02 MB, for Toxics Use Reduction Planning & Plan Update Guidance (PDF 2.02 MB)

   Open PDF file, 730.02 KB, for Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Planning Guidance (PDF 730.02 KB)

   Open PDF file, 1.49 MB, for Resource Conservation (RC) Planning Guidance (PDF 1.49 MB)

4. File Your TUR Plan Summary

   To submit your TUR Plan summary online, login here:

   eDEP Online Filing

   If you are a new user, you will need to create an account first. Registration takes less than five minutes.