Business Planning Guides

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA’s PDF page to learn more.

Writing a Business Plan
This page of the Small Business Administration’s site includes a downloadable tutorial and activities on how to create a business plan.

Center for Business Planning
A comprehensive source of business planning resources.

Why and How to Start a Recycling-Based Manufacturing Enterprise (PDF) (7 pp, 26K)
Chapter 1 of a guide from Materials for the Future Foundation entitled Manufacturing with Reused and Recycled Materials: Fifty Small Business Opportunities. The complete guide profiles 50 different manufacturing opportunities using recycled glass, aluminum, wood, plastic, and other materials. It also includes guidance for developing a business plan, marketing recycled products, financing your enterprise, and more.

A Business Guide to Recycling Market Development
This document provides a general description of the Minnesota recycling market development plan and discusses topics including accessing technology information and expertise, securing markets for recyclable materials and capitalizing on recycled market opportunities

Minnesota Department of Environmental Assistance
520 Lafayette Road North, Second Floor
St. Paul, MN 55155-4100
Phone: 612 296-3417 or
800 657-3843
Fax: 612 215-0246

Preparing a Business Plan for a Small-Scale Recycling-Related Venture
Best suited for an entrepreneurial audience, this report provides step-by-step instructions for writing an effective business plan.

Institute for Local Self-Reliance
2425 18th Street, NW.
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202 232-4108
Fax: 202 332-0463
E-mail: ilsr@igc.apc.org
Web: www.ilsr.org

Writing Business Plans for Recycling Enterprises: Plastics, Glass, or Rubber (PDF) (208 pp, 2.9MB)
This guide describes elements of formal business plans specific to recycling postconsumer plastics, glass, or rubber. It also includes examples of successful business plans and a directory to help identify resources that can provide assistance in creating a plan.

Association of Small Business Development Centers
3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22204
Phone: 703 271-8700
Fax: 703 271-8701

Creating Local Recycling Markets
Written in 1994 for officials in economic development and environmental agencies, this report analyzes the importance of local markets for recovered materials.

Institute for Local Self-Reliance
2425 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202 232-4108
Fax: 202 332-0463
E-mail: ilsr@igc.apc.org
Web: http://www.ilsr.org/pubs/pubswtow.html

Developing Markets for Recyclable Materials: Policy and Program Options (PDF) (52 pp, 283K)
Topics covered in this document include barriers to market development, state policies to promote use of secondary materials, criteria for choosing market development tools, and a comparative strategic materials analysis for old newspapers, used high-grade office paper, and used oil.

Recycling Entrepreneurship: Creating Local Markets for Recycled Materials
With planning and financing strategies, this report covers the basics of stimulating local economic development through recycling.

Gainer and Associates
1380 Ninth Street
Arcata, CA 95521
Phone: 707 822-4542
Fax: 707 822-1672