EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference in the  Registration  Statements
(Form S-8 Nos.  33-83060,  33-61369 and  33-42186)  pertaining to the EMCON 1986
Incentive  Stock Option and 1988 Stock Option Plans,  the EMCON  Employee  Stock
Purchase Plan and the EMCON  Restricted  Stock Plan of our report dated February
14, 1996, except as to Note 4 and the first paragraph of Note 3, as to which the
date is February 29, 1996, with respect to the consolidated financial statements
and  schedule of EMCON  included in the Annual  Report  (Form 10-K) for the year
ended December 31, 1995.



San Jose, California
March 19, 1996

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