The bank of ideas (BI) is a TECLIM tool for environmental optimization of industrial processes. It is conceptually associated with the front-end loading (FEL) methodology, which pays particular attention to the initial stage of identification and selection of alternatives of water use, increasing the chances of a project´s success, avoiding wasted or badly allocated resources. The BI covers FEL 1 stage, in which the ideas are invited, followed by stage FEL 2, in which the opportunities selected are developed into conceptual projects. The method of giving priorities to the opportunities in the BI is presented, showing the synergy with FEL. The application of the BI enabled the register and process of 500 ideas with the potential to reduce water consumption by 1.4 × 103 t.h- 1 and effluents by at least 0.5 × 103 t.h- 1. The BI tool helps to identify the most attractive and sustainable conceptual projects. © 2016, ABES - Associacao Brasileira de Engenharia Sanitaria e Ambiental. All rights reserved.214753764