Which of the following is NOT a component of the pollution prevention hierarchy?

The pollution prevention hierarchy is a framework that prioritizes strategies for reducing pollution and minimizing environmental impact. The hierarchy emphasizes practices that prevent pollution at the source rather than dealing with it after it has been created. The key components of this hierarchy typically include source reduction, recycling, and treatment, in that order of priority.

Source reduction involves measures that reduce, eliminate, or prevent the generation of pollutants at their source, which is the most effective way to minimize environmental harm. Recycling allows for materials to be reused, thus reducing waste and conserving resources. Treatment refers to processes that manage waste after it has been created, often to make it less hazardous before disposal.

Energy conversion, while an important environmental practice in some contexts, does not fit squarely within the traditional pollution prevention hierarchy. Instead, it focuses on transforming waste into energy, which may be a useful strategy but does not inherently prioritize preventing the creation of pollution. Thus, it does not align with the hierarchy aimed at reduction and minimization of waste at the source.