Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
the design, manufacture and application of chemical products” and is guided by
12 design principles set forth by Anastas and Warner (2000). The approach goes
well beyond reduction of waste and process optimization—it drives the redesign
of production and processes at the molecular level. The scope of green chemis-
try extends beyond alternative-chemicals assessment; when alternatives are not
available or suitable, green chemistry principles can be used to design new sub-
stances that have environmental performance incorporated at the design stage.
The principles address effects throughout the life cycle of a material or product
and spur new solutions that represent system-wide reduction in effects as op-
posed to reduction in effects in only one facet of the life cycle.
Case studies have been used to show how green chemistry and engineer-
ing reduce costs and spur innovation by exploring entirely new approaches that
are driven by life-cycle thinking and systems thinking. EPA's green chemistry
efforts center around research on innovative technologies, provision of tools to
evaluate and design green chemistries and processes, and recognition of leader-
ship in green chemistry innovation. For example, the Presidential Green Chem-
istry Challenge Awards Program (established in 1995) has been used to reward
success in green chemistry and to communicate the value of the approach for
reducing effects and advancing commercial interests. According to EPA
(EPA
2011e),
During the program's life, EPA has received more than 1,400 nominations
and presented awards to 82 winners. Winning technologies alone are re-
sponsible for reducing the use or generation of more than 199 million
pounds of hazardous chemicals, saving 21 billion gallons of water, and
eliminating 57 million pounds of carbon dioxide releases to the air. These
benefits are in addition to significant energy and cost savings by the win-
ners and their customers.
Future Implications for Innovation
The three programs described above demonstrate the potential for innova-
tive approaches to advance and use scientific knowledge to protect health and
the environment through the redesign of chemicals, materials, and products.
They also show the role that EPA can play in driving decisions by providing
high-quality scientific information. Since their inception, the three programs
have had important data needs and strong links to data generation and tools de-
velopment. For example, pollution-prevention efforts have been measured using
data on chemical release, waste, and use generated by the Toxics Release Inven-
tory and in accordance with several state-level pollution-prevention bills. EPA's
Sustainable Futures Initiative has relied on data from EPA's New Chemicals
Program and EPA's expertise in chemical assessment and structure-activity
relationships to develop tools to assist chemical designers in developing safer
products (EPA 2012g). Similarly, efforts are underway to utilize data developed
Search WWH ::
Custom Search