By informing employees of cost and environmental waste issues, management communicates its concern and encourages employees to become involved. Managers request a volunteer from each department. Purchasing, custodial, maintenance and clerical departments are particularly important. The facilitator, selected from the team membership, needs strong organizational and communication skills as well as enthusiasm for the project. The facilitator collects information from outside sources, relays definitions and priorities, educates and tracks job assignments for the team.
Management provides general education on waste issues and program goals.
The facilitator educates and inspires the source reduction team by presenting specific information about waste issues. The team surveys the facility's waste and learns about its economic and environmental impact. The team members take what they've learned back to their departments. Though many excellent ideas often come from the reduction team, many more ideas come from the entire staff. No criticism of ideas should be allowed in this step.