The needs of the detergent industry in the 1980s will require the management of many new regulatory and environmental concerns. The rules and regulations on waste disposal are changing rapidly and are likely to have an ever increasing impact on manufacturing processes. An understanding of the current constraints in disposal of waste will minimize the cost and future problems in this aspect of detergent manufacture. In a broader sense, the detergent industry needs to be continually aware of the concerns within governmental agencies, to be informed on proposed regulations that address these concerns and to provide input into the regulatory process. The detergent industry needs to help regulatory agencies resolve their concerns in such a way that restrictions and costs are minimized.