The Western Australian Business and the Environment Manual

This on-line manual is a guide to reducing industry's costs and impacts and is designed as a practical assistance for businesses of all sizes. It contains the basics of what you need to know about your business and its relationship with the environment. It is designed to assist Western Australian businesses to successfully manage their environmental issues together with their business operations. The manual was developed, and is maintained by the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Centre of Excellence in Cleaner Production.

"A guide to reducing your costs and impacts"

First and foremost, this handbook is a practical resource. It contains the basics of what you need to know about your business and its relationship with the environment. It is designed to assist Western Australian businesses to successfully manage their environmental issues together with their business operations.

What is the purpose of this handbook?

Business and the Environment is intended to:

• Provide information on how to address the most pressing environmental issues facing WA businesses
• Promote sound, practical and cost-effective environmental practice and to demonstrate that what is good for the environment is also good for business
• Provide valuable resources to assist in developing and maintaining effective environmental management and to demonstrate the financial and environmental benefits of this approach
• Promote the commercial advantages of managing your business' environmental issues
• Provide information relating to environmental legislative requirements and obligations at local, State and Commonwealth level
• Assist in the understanding and management of environmental impacts and the responsibilities of directors, managers and all employees.

Who is this handbook for, and what are its features?

Although Business and the Environment is targeted at small to medium-sized businesses in Western Australia, it is also a useful reference source for environmental managers and officers of larger businesses.

The handbook's main features

In content and format, the handbook is designed to be user friendly and useful through:

• A minimum of technical jargon and a glossary at the back.
• Discrete chapters which can be easily adapted as the basis for an industry specific handbook.
• Straightforward layout which exemplify sound and effective best environmental practices and the immediate benefits to businesses.
• Both a quick reference summary and a detailed section for each major facet of environmental management.
• A wealth of reference material and useful contact details (including websites) of Western Australian and Commonwealth public and private sector organisations.
• Tools for managing your environmental issues, such as cleaner production and environmental management systems.

"Business and the Environment" is a joint venture between the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Western Australia and Environment Australia