If your business manages environment-related issues well, it may be able to avoid liability, reduce costs and recognize business opportunities for providing environmental solutions to other companies. Businesses that put environmental practices in place are also more attractive to investors, lenders, insurers, customers and employees.
Use the links below to learn how to develop an environmental action plan and adopt sound environmental management practices for your business.
Environmental Management Guidance
These resources below offer guidebooks, technical assistance, and virtual libraries, as well as guides to a multitude of activities related to environmental management.
Offers a guide to help you design a management plan that addresses all of the environmental concerns of your business.
Offers a workbook to keep track of all environmental management activities. This documentation will enable you to better streamline and organize activities, and keep the time and effort employees have to devote to them at a reasonable level.
Technical Assistance
Provides the ability to consult with experts on matters of environmental policies and regulations.
Supplies information on how to find a mentor for environmental planning and compliance.
Learn How To...
If you need assistance in completing specific environmental planning activities, select the task below to learn how to:
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Conduct an Environmental Audit
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Choose an Environmental Consultant
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Comply with Environmental Laws and Regulations
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Draft an Environmental Management Plan
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Implement an Environmental Management System
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Conduct a Life Cycle Assessment
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Measure Environmental Performance
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Perform Environmental Accounting
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Finance Environmental Improvements
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Manage Hazardous Waste
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Maintain a Lean, Green Supply Chain
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Implement a Commuter Choice Program
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Calculate Potential Savings from a Telecommuting Program
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Start or Expand a Recycling Program
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Create a Healthier Office Environment
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Find a Small Business Environmental Service Provider
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Calculate Your Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Environmental Management System
There are many resources available to you for getting started on an Environmental Management System (EMS). An EMS is a set of standard processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency. Use the following resources to:
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Find basic information including how to develop and implement an EMS
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Get help from your state Small Business Assistance Program
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Use the National Resource Directory of EMS Technical Assistance Providers
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Get recognition for your EMS through EPA's Performance Track Program
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Learn about ISO 14000 standards on environmental management
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Get ISO certification for your EMS
Industry Partnerships and Programs
Industry partnerships and stewardship programs, sponsored by the EPA, aim to reduce the impact of industrial activities on the environment. To find out more about these programs, select an area of interest.
Provides information on our array of voluntary programs and describes the benefits of joining.
Explains the DfE Program, which works with industrial sectors to reduce the chemical exposure risk through pollution prevention activities.
Covers how this program works to achieve performance improvement and regulatory burden reduction in key industry sectors.
Lists frequently asked questions about EPA's voluntary partnership programs.
Explains how this program encourages organizations to purchase green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use.
Promotes the voluntary, systematic elimination of mercury-containing equipment from industrial and other sites.
Contains information on efforts that promote a more sustainable society, reduce the amounts of waste generated, and lower the toxicity and persistence of those wastes that are, of necessity, generated.
Provides information on a voluntary program that forms partnerships with pesticide users to reduce the potential health and environmental risks associated with pesticide use and to implement pollution prevention strategies.
Offers information on a stewardship program that focuses on having manufacturers, retailers, users, and disposers share in the responsibility for reducing the environment impacts of consumer products.
Provides information about the RCC, a national effort to conserve natural resources and energy by managing materials more efficiently.
Explains VAIP, a pollution prevention program developed jointly by EPA and the primary aluminum industry. Participating companies work with EPA to improve aluminum production efficiency while reducing perfluorocarbon (PFC) emissions, the potent greenhouse gases that remain in the atmosphere for thousands of years.
Gives information on a free, voluntary EPA program that helps organizations eliminate costly municipal solid waste and select industrial wastes to benefit their bottom line and the environment.
Certification and Training
To learn about EPA requirements for certification and training in motor vehicles air conditioning, stationary air conditioning, and lead safety, go to the resources below.
Provides mandatory EPA training and certification for individuals conducting lead-based paint activities (abatement, inspection, and risk assessment) in target housing and child-occupied facilities. The trainers are accredited to ensure quality, and certified individuals must follow specific work practices ensuring that lead hazards are addressed.
Contains a list of training programs offering R-134a motor vehicle air conditioning retrofitting and links to other training information resources.
Gives links to training resources for technicians to become certified to comply with Section 609 of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
Lists links to training sources for air conditioning technicians to obtain certification for Section 608 of the CAA.
