To some managers Environmentally Responsible Manufacturing (ERM) can be seen as an opportunity to better understand processes and reduce waste. To others, ERM is an unwarranted intrusion into their functional responsibilities. This paper explores the reasons for these two very different views of ERM. The paper begins by defining the concepts of ERM and Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and identifying the reasons for the increasing importance now associated with each of these concepts. Drawing on the results of a large-scale survey of American managers, a summary of current practices associated with EMS at the plant level is given. Additionally, analysis of the impact of EMS on corporate performance and environmental options is presented.