AbstractThe emphasis of environmental protection has been expanded from the protection of our surrounding natural world to the protection of our health and well‐being. Research facilities often have a responsibility, as individual organizations and as an industry, to consider this protection and comply with all applicable governmental regulations. The intent of this article is to increase the expertise of R&D managers so that they will be able to recognize environmental issues and potential costs associated with, and prior to any future commercialization of, their subject research. While it is directed toward considerations unique to pilot plant and laboratory operations, several of the issues discussed can be valid for full‐scale commercial facilities developed as a result of that resea