Everybody now knows the history of the development of low- and non-waste technologies as a tool to achieve environmental policy goals. Environmental protection originally began with curative measures to environmental problems that had become evident, treatment processes were added to the end of manufacturing processes to meet the requirements of the new regulations. It was then realized that, although the measures taken were useful and indispensible in the short term, it might be less costly to prevent than to cure. The concept of low- and non-waste technologies was born. After briefly exploring the definition of this concept, I would like to present the current situation in the field as I perceive it, and suggest possible ways for future co-operative action in that field.