pay as you pollute principle, "polluter pays" principle, polluter-pays principle
the costs of prevention, cleaning up and compensation for pollution are in principle borne by those who cause it. By imposing the cost burden on potential polluters, the aim is to give them an incenti, the principle that those causing environmental harm by producing or utilising energy shall bear the cost of its remedy, i.e. such cost shall become a component in the cost of the product