Environmental Progress - Winter 2002

Small Businesses Have Big Special Problems

They must meet environmental goals with limited resources, staffs.

Norma Van Valkenburg keeps an eye on the big picture as she works with operators of small businesses with environmental requirements.

More than half a million small businesses in Illinois provide jobs, goods and services that can benefit consumers as close as next door or as far as half a world away. Like their larger counterparts, they must comply with often complicated environmental regulations. Unlike the larger operations, they haven't the resources to assign a full time staff member to environmental compliance duties.

To help fill that gap, the Illinois EPA has created an Office of Small Business specifically to help small businesses understand and comply with relevant environmental regulations. The office is firmly committed to a common sense approach in:

• educating small businesses on environmental regulations;
  
  
• providing help to small businesses to resolve environmental issues; and
  
  
• working to maintain a thriving small business economy while still protecting human health and the environment.

Environmental Helpline offers assistance

Operators of small businesses, if they choose, may remain anonymous while seeking information on environmental requirements and their obligations under those rules. To simplify contact, the OSB operates an Environmental Helpline at 1-888-EPA-1996.

To help business operators research possible areas of concern on their own, the OSB also has created a series of fact sheets on such diverse subjects as dry cleaners, parts washers, electroplating, hazardous wastes, asbestos, storm water, and open dumps. Additional fact sheets are added as they can be developed. For those wanting to do more detailed independent research, the OSB offers callers a list of useful web sites.

The office provides staff experts to talk with trade associations and groups exploring environmental requirements and IEPA programs. Requests for speakers can be made by calling the Helpline. The OSB can also be reached by writing the office at IEPA, 1021 North Grand Avenue East, P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, IL 62794-9276, or through the Agency's website at www.epa.state.il.us .