Employee incentives: Work for waste reduction

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Pollution Engineering; (United States)

OSTI ID:6157218

Burns, S J ^[1]

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1. ERM-West Inc., Walnut Creek, CA (United States)

The benefits of waste reduction or minimization are substantial. Waste-reduction programs can reduce waste treatment and disposal costs, reduce liability, enhance worker safety, improve regulatory compliance, strengthen public image and reduce raw material cost. These benefits have motivated many corporate environmental managers to reduce waste at their facilities. But how can corporate managers make waste-reduction programs fly Employ incentive programs can provide the catalyst. Employee incentive programs help accelerate waste reduction because people, not technology alone, make waste-reduction programs work. These programs can inspire employees to create innovative ideas for waste reduction, and motivate them to reach waste-reduction goals. Incentives can be in the form of money, prizes or simple recognition. Some companies choose to reward individual employees; others, whole departments. Incentive programs vary, but all help companies tap the resources employees bring to waste-reduction programs. Waste reduction usually happens in the production process itself. In most companies, the least costly and most beneficial waste-reduction techniques involve simple housekeeping and other activities largely in the employees' control. Therefore, employee cooperation is the key to successful fulfillment of waste-reduction goals.

• OSTI ID: 6157218
• Journal Information: Pollution Engineering; (United States), Journal Name: Pollution Engineering; (United States) Vol. 25:14; ISSN PLENBW; ISSN 0032-3640
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320305* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Industrial Waste Management
ANIMALS
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
MAMMALS
MAN
MANAGEMENT
MINIMIZATION
PERSONNEL
PRIMATES
VERTEBRATES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES