This article discusses the perception of businesses owners of micro and small enterprises in relation to the impacts caused by these companies in the environment. Thirty one business owners were interviewed in industries localised on the São Francisco Valley, in Sergipe State. Besides structured questionnaires it has been used an observation outline as a complementary research tool. Despite many forms of environment pollution have been identified such as gas, solid and liquid emissions, these companies do not have adopted measures to prevent this to happen or t not mind about reutilize the industrial residuals. The government role is seem as inadequate and the majority of the interviewees admitted have never suffered any sort of pressure from the community related to the pollution caused. They do not see themselves as polluters and they do not seem aware of the damages caused by their companies on the environment.