HAZARDOUS WASTE

Waste Minimization Program:  Green Chemistry

Green chemistry, also known as sustainable chemistry, is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances.  Green chemistry applies across the life cycle, including the design, manufacture, and use of a chemical product.  

Green chemistry technologies provide a number of benefits, including:

  • reduced waste, eliminating costly end-of-the-pipe treatments
  • safer products
  • reduced use of energy and resources
  • improved competitiveness of chemical manufacturers and their customers.

Concept of Green Chemistry:

Green chemistry consists of chemicals and chemical processes designed to reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts.  The use and production of these chemicals may involve reduced waste products, non-toxic components, and improved efficiency.

Green chemistry is a highly effective approach to pollution prevention because it applies innovative scientific solutions to real-world environmental situations.  The 12 principles of green chemistry, originally published by Paul Anastas and John Warner in Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice (Oxford University Press: New York, 1998), provide a road map for chemists to implement green chemistry.

all information for this page was taken from the Environmental Protection Agency's web site (http://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/)

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