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How to Partner
How does the DfE Program partner with businesses?
How does a business start designing for the environment?
What are the criteria for a DfE partnership?
What are the expectations for a DfE partnership?
How does the DfE Program partner with businesses?
The DfE Program forms voluntary partnerships with industry sectors, usually through industry leaders, and trade or technical associations. These partnerships also might include public interest groups, universities, research institutions, and other government agencies at the federal, state, and local level.
For each partnership, DfE ensures that information on traditional and alternative technologies reaches the people who make the decisions, such as managers, engineers, buyers, and product or chemical end users. DfE provides these individuals with a variety of materials and tools, such as fact sheets, bulletins, case studies, software, videos, and training manuals. These materials are distributed throughout the industry so that companies can make more informed decisions that reduce risks to workers and the environment and even boost a business' bottom line.
back to topHow does a business start designing for the environment?
A business can initiate a DfE project on its own or collaborate with the assistance of its industry trade or technical association. Associations can provide financial resources and share information, including incentives to making changes and the recognition of businesses that have overcome obstacles. If a particular company believes that its industry can benefit from a DfE project, it should bring this to the attention of an appropriate association to see if broader industry interest exists. Associations are encouraged to contact the DfE Program for information on how to either propose a partnership with EPA or initiate projects on their own. Businesses can also design for the environment on their own using the models and templates developed by the DfE Program.
back to topWhat are the criteria for a DfE partnership?
A partnership proposal should fulfill three critical criteria for the DfE Program to consider a potential partnership. These criteria are:
- CRITERIA 1: A potential risk or risks to human health or the environment has been identified.
- CRITERIA 2: DfE's risk reduction through pollution prevention approaches are applicable and likely to identify solutions and recommendations. Possible solutions are viable, and goals are realistic.
- CRITERIA 3: Potential partners are willing to engage in a DfE partnership and believe in the value of the DfE approach. Potential partners show commitment and the organizational ability to involve external partners such as active business leaders and trade associations.
What are the expectations for a DfE partnership?
- Evaluate the human health and environmental impacts of a business' processes and products.
- Identify information needed to make environmental and human health decisions.
- Conduct an assessment of alternatives.
- Consider cross-media impacts and the benefits of substituting chemicals.
- Reduce the use and release of toxic chemicals through innovation of cleaner technologies that use safer chemicals.
- Implement pollution prevention, energy efficiency, and other resource conservation measures.
- Make products that can be reused, refurbished, remanufactured, or recycled.
- Monitor the environmental impacts and costs associated with each product or process.
- Recognize that although change can be rapid, in many cases, there is the need to adopt a cycle of evaluation and continuous improvement.
For more information on how to partner, contact DfE.
