"The most successful companies are those that maintain an ongoing series of challenges - setting tough, long-term goals, and revising them up if they seem too easy."
Joel Makower, "the e factor"
Now that a pollution prevention program is underway, it must be sustained in future years. This involves reaffirming commitment to the program at all levels including upper management. Employee enthusiasm and interest must be maintained to ensure continuation of the program. Ideally, the entire cycle should be repeated following the successful implementation of each pollution prevention project. Some specific ideas for sustaining the program include bringing new personnel into the pollution prevention team, training, and publicizing success stories.
To maintain the flow of fresh ideas, the pollution prevention team members should be rotated to introduce new perspectives. With an ongoing pollution prevention program, there may be new employees who join the company over the years that want to participate. A new team leader may step in with high energy, enthusiasm and creativity. If some members do step down, they can serve as consultants to the new team. There may also be dedicated team members who wish to remain on the team; this should be encouraged as they have gained valuable experience. The composition of the team should still include employees from all levels and departments. The importance of a written pollution prevention plan is that it will outline the operating procedures for the program and provide continuity even when team members are replaced.
Pollution prevention awareness and training should be conducted on a periodic basis so that all new or reassigned employees understand the company's commitment to pollution prevention. Pollution prevention training should be incorporated into a number of the companies existing training programs (health and safety, environmental, processes, etc.). This training should be an ongoing process.
Publicity is one of the most effective means to sustain the pollution prevention program. Internal publicity raises the awareness of employees of activities going on at the facility and encourages further participation. The results of the various projects should be relayed through bulletin boards, newsletters, interoffice memos, etc. The names of the pollution prevention team members, as well as those employees offering suggestions, should be included in these publications. If individual successes are recognized, other employees may wish to join in to receive the same recognition. Presentation ceremonies for employee/team incentive awards will also help publicize successes. Cost savings, waste reductions, and product quality improvements due to pollution prevention activities/projects should be highlighted.
The pollution prevention program can be a key public relations tool. Any reduction in waste is a benefit to employees, the community and the environment and should be publicized. News releases should be prepared for local and state media documenting the project and the benefits gained by the company and the surrounding community. Reporters could also be invited to the facility for a demonstration of a new technology.
Further public recognition can be facilitated through national, state, county, and local award programs. The Ohio EPA solicits nominations for the Governor's Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Pollution Prevention each year. These awards are presented to individuals; environmental, community, educational and non-profit organizations; business, industry, agricultural, trade, or professional organizations; and local governments that demonstrate significant achievements in pollution prevention.
Trade association meetings and publications are another good avenue for promoting a company's pollution prevention program. Case studies can be submitted which demonstrate the company's progressive stance in environmental protection while describing the use of innovative technologies and techniques to reduce waste. These case studies should emphasize the benefits gained by the company - not only waste reduction but also cost savings, quality improvements, safety improvements, regulatory compliance, and better community relations. Applying for state or national pollution prevention awards can also be a means to publicize the company's efforts.