1. Understand which environmental regulations apply to your business.

2. Develop a program by designating a coordinator, writing a plan, and involving employees.

3. Assess processes that generate waste or pollutants by touring the facility and collecting background information, such as energy, water, hazardous waste, or purchasing information.

4. Identify cost-saving pollution prevention opportunities (conduct energy audit).

   • Eliminate unnecessary processes that generate waste.

   • Identify in-process recycling opportunities such as reusing spent rinse water within the same process.

   • Substitute a nontoxic or less-toxic material for a toxic material.

   • Purchase materials made of recycled material, materials that can be reused or recycled, and only what is needed.

   • Segregate different waste streams to increase reuse and recycling opportunities.

   • Identify energy and water conservation opportunities.

5. Rank opportunities by identifying benefits and evaluating technical and economic feasibility.

6. Implement projects.

7. Evaluate projects and document results.

8. Maintain the program by encouraging employee involvement and looking for new opportunities.

By consider environmental issue into their design, your products and manufacturing systems can be made resource-efficient.

Rethinking processes can create ways to reduce production waste, cutting both pollution and costs. Processes can also be re-evaluated to determine if they are necessary to daily operations or can occur less frequently. For example:

• Can machinery be adjusted to more efficiently utilize materials?

• Does the oil need to be changed in all pieces of equipment at the same time even if it may be unnecessary?

• Is it necessary to clean according to the current frequency or can the frequency of general facility cleaning be reduced?

• Can small quantities of leftover paints of different colors be mixed and used for painting new surfaces?

Alternative materials for cleaning, coating, lubrication, and other processes can prevent costly hazardous waste generation, air emissions, and worker health risks. Before switching products consider the following:

• Will the substitute work as well?

• Will the substitute generate a different type of waste stream or release?

• Will the substitute require purchasing additional equipment?

• When looking for alternative products, coordinate through your purchasing department and develop policies that favor less toxic products when available.

• Train staff on policies.

• ● Remember that affordable does not necessarily mean less expensive. Affordable can sometimes mean a higher initial price; consider the entire lifecycle of the product.

Find another way to reuse materials on-site. For example:

• Distill used solvents.

• Capture heat from discharge water or gases to be reused in another part of the manufacturing process.

• Reuse cardboard boxes.

• Reuse spent process water for pre-rinsing or apply non-hazardous water to land for irrigation (Note: Reuse permit is required.)

• Substitute less hazardous chemicals for processes and cleaning to minimize contaminants in wastewater.

• If materials cannot be reused on-site, look for off-site recycling opportunities.

The most effective way to manage waste is to minimize the amount of material that enters the waste stream. Minimizing waste at its source is called source reduction.

Using energy, water, and other production inputs more efficiently helps keep air and water clean, reduces emissions of greenhouse gases, cuts operating costs, and improves productivity.

• Install low-flow fixtures on showers and sinks.

• Purchase energy-efficient equipment; look for the ENERGY STAR logo.

• Power down equipment when not in use.

• Use power strips to prevent power loss when equipment is not in use.

• Turn down water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and insulate.

• Adjust the heat and air conditioner down at night and during weekends and holidays.

• Use vehicle fleets efficiently by driving the speed limit, checking the tire pressure regularly, mapping out trips, and turning off the engine when parked.

• Clean with a mop, broom, or vacuum instead of hosing down floors, walkways, and parking areas to conserve water and minimize contaminants in wastewater.