The purpose of this guide is to help citizen advocates create and improve the environmental practices of industry and government in the Great Lakes Basin. The practices advocated focus on pollution prevention instead of relying solely on pollution control. An introduction examines the larger issues of pollution prevention and zero discharge as the context in which local environmental advocacy operates. Succeeding chapters explain how to obtain information; how to educate a community and build strong citizen campaigns for pollution prevention; and how to carry out a number of possible pollution prevention activities, with examples and success stories. The focal activity is the creation of a comprehensive pollution prevention planning process that can be used in both the public and private sectors. The appendixes contain: (1) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "Title III List of Lists"; (2) sample Material Safety Data Sheets, Tier I, and Tier II Forms; (3) industries covered by Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Right-to-Know reporting requirements; (4) sample Form-Rs; (5) state TRI information contacts; (6) sample Freedom of Information Request; (7) unit conversions; (8) INFORM Facility Toxic Waste and Pollution Prevention Assessment worksheets; (9) sources of information in Canada; (10) known health effects of TRI chemicals; (11) sample toxics assessment table; (12) information on holding a meeting; (13) organizations that can provide lobbying guidance and train organizers; (14) information on using the media to get a message out; (15) information on doorknocking; (16) Priority 1 and 2 toxic pollutants of concern and their sources; (17) information on hazardous substance policies in Erie County, New York; and (18) information on comprehensive pesticide pollution prevention in Thurston County, Washington. Contains 71 references. (LZ)