Large businesses have teams to divide work and maintain motivation. Each team consist of 6 to 8 people from different departments, including maintenance, accounting, management, and production. Different viewpoints and knowledge of various parts of the business are shared. A small business may have everyone on one team. This will help you identify opportunities for pollution prevention, and establish a baseline for measuring progress.
Many business owners are amazed at the actual dollars spent on waste management and disposal.
You may want to conduct a waste assessment to determine the types and amounts of waste generated. This information will help you evaluate pollution prevention options. Some businesses have incorporated a cost allocation system. Departments and managers are charged for pollution control and waste management costs. Labor costs, liability, regulatory compliance, disposal and oversight costs should be included.