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What do the largest companies in America have in common? Besides many billions of revenue dollars, they all are larger-than-life participants in our ecosystem. And as such, they appear to be taking their impact on the environment more seriously these days.

In the Aug. 14 issue of Waste News, we profile the biggest 25 businesses as far as what they´re doing right and wrong environmentally. Looking at this landscape as a whole, it´s clear that for all concerned coping with the environment is a significant part of the business, whether it´s because it´s the right thing to do, it helps the bottom line or is just good public relations -- or a combination of the three.

The environmental records of these companies vary as widely as their primary businesses. To some degree the particular industry affects the performance. It´s probably more difficult for companies in the environmentally dangerous-by-nature oil and gas industry to please people, while a "cleaner" business like consumer household products has a comparatively shorter track. Still, our section shows there´s a wide range of commitment to being environmentally friendly.

Controlling greenhouse gases tops a lot of companies´ priority lists. Are these firms deeming this issue most critical or most trendy? Regardless, it shows that climate change increasingly is moving to the front burner for Big Business.

What´s also clear from our report is that the public does have a big impact on what these companies do. Even the firms with a tepid commitment know they need to talk the talk, even if it´s only through a section on their Web site. Companies are hearing the concerns of consumers and investors.

These 25 largest companies are the biggest targets of environmental groups largely because they´re the biggest. That may not be fair. But the big guys not only have a direct impact on the environment; they also are pace setters for every business sector.

Much has been done, much more needs to be done. It may not be happening as fast as some want, but more and more, companies are getting the idea that taking care of the environment is good for business.

Allan Gerlat is editor of Waste News. Past installments of this column are collected in the Inbox archive.