Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 2: Principles of Sustainable
and Green Chemistry
MIKE LANCASTER
1 Introduction
ardous substances in the design, manufacture and
use of chemical products.'
In the modern context, the terms 'sustainable devel-
opment' and 'green chemistry' have been around for
less than 15 years. Discussion of sustainability began,
essentially, when the 1987 UN Commission on Envi-
ronment and Development (usually referred to as
the Bruntland Commission) noted that economic
development might lead to a deterioration, not an
improvement, in the quality of people's lives [1].
This led to the now commonly accepted definition of
'sustainable development' as being:
In conjunction with the American Chemical Society,
the EPA developed green chemistry into a set of
twelve guiding principles [3]. These principles can be
summarised as being concerned with ensuring that:
• The maximum amounts of reagents are converted
to useful product (atom economy)
• Production of waste is minimised through reaction
design
• Non-hazardous raw materials and products are
used and produced wherever possible
• Processes are designed to be inherently safe
• Greater consideration is given to using renewable
feedstocks
• Processes are designed to be energy efficient
'Development which meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.'
This definition is intentionally broad, covering all
aspects of society. The debate on what it actually
means, in practical terms, for different disciplines
and sectors of society continues, and indeed there
are those who argue that it is a contradiction in
terms. However, working interpretations of the def-
inition are becoming established [2]. For example, in
planning it is the process of urban revitalisation that
seeks to integrate urbanisation with nature preser-
vation; in biology it is associated with the protection
of biodiversity; in economics it is the accounting for
'natural capital'.
Sustainable development has particular relevance
for chemistry-based industries because it is con-
cerned with avoidance of pollution and the reckless
use of natural resources. In essence it is being recog-
nised increasingly as the pursuit of the principles and
goals of green chemistry.
The Green Chemistry Movement was started in
the early 1990s by the US Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) as a means of encouraging industry
and academia to use chemistry for pollution preven-
tion. More specifically, the green chemistry mission
was:
These principles and associated terminology are
becoming widely accepted as a universal code of
practice as the Green Chemistry Movement spreads
out of the USA into Europe, Australia and Asia. It is
evident from these principles that green chemistry
encompasses much more of the concepts of sustain-
ability than simply preventing pollution; two impor-
tant aspects are the design for energy efficiency and
the use of renewable feedstocks.
This chapter will explore some of the key features
of these principles, many of which will be dealt with
in greater depth in other parts of the topic, and assess
the relevance and opportunities for the chemical
industry.
2 Green Chemistry and Industry
Chemical companies worldwide now are taking the
issue of sustainable and green chemistry seriously.
A combination of increasing amounts of legislation,
increased public awareness and concern and the
realisation that eco-efficiency is good for business are
rapidly increasing the rate of change. The first real
proof that the chemical industry was serious about
environmental concerns came with the 'responsible
'To promote innovative chemical technologies that
reduce or eliminate the use or generation of haz-
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