Sorting fact from fiction

Abstract

Companies are now beginning to implement quality processes to improve environmental conditions, such as reducing waste and preventing pollution. In fact, at a conference sponsored by the Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI). more than 30 companies related how they are solving environmental problems through quality.1 Coopers & Lybrand's Environmental Consulting Services, Denver, CO, has defined the role of quality in environmental management as 'the process used by management to assure that the organization's environmental compliance goals are achieved. The objective of TQM for environmental management is to pursue and achieve continuous improvement in every process of an organization's environmental compliance program through the integrated efforts of all members of the program. This process will lead to a reduction in the total cost of environmental quality.'