Green Chemistry
The use of green chemistry to create products and processes that are safer for people and the planet will play an increasingly important role in our transition to a clean and just economy. There are tremendous opportunities emerging in the field of green chemistry. A wide variety of industries, communities and ecosystems stand to benefit if we are able to recognize and capitalize on these opportunities.
If we truly desire a sustainable society, one in which our goods and services are designed to support life rather than jeopardize it, our use of green chemistry is integral. The sooner we can develop and refine our capacity to design and manufacture in a more sustainable fashion, the greater the benefit for society and our economy.
Twelve Principles
The use of green chemistry is defined by the application of twelve principles. Through these principles, green chemistry focuses on design at the molecular level to reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances in chemicals and materials.
Originally published in Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice (1998) by Paul Anastas and John Warner, the twelve principles of green chemistry include elements of waste prevention, process efficiency and chemical design, among others.
The following is a summary of the twelve principles from Growing the Green Economy Through Green Chemistry and Design for the Environment: A Resource Guide for States and Higher Education (2009) by the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council, the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable and the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts.
- Prevent Waste
- Design safer chemicals and products
- Design less hazardous chemical syntheses
- Use renewable feedstocks
- Use catalysts, not stoichiometric reagents
- Avoid chemical derivatives
- Maximize atom economy
- Use safer solvents and reaction conditions
- Increase energy efficiency
- Design chemicals and products to degrade after use
- Analyze in real time to prevent pollutions
- Minimize the potential for accidents
A Growing Need
Currently, the prices we pay for many of the goods and services that we consume do not reflect the true costs paid by people and our planet. In many cases, significant costs associated with our use and generation of toxic chemicals is paid in the form of negative impacts on human health and ecosystems. These costs are what are known as a negative externality and they represent a fundamental problem with the way we currently manage the lifecycle of chemicals in our economy.
The University of California Centers for Occupational and Environmental Health report Green Chemistry: Cornerstone to a Sustainable California (2008) and the Oregon Environmental Council’s The Price of Pollution: Cost Estimates of Environmentally Related Diseases in Oregon (2007) both highlight reasons why the principles of green chemistry should be incorporated into our economy:
- Over 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals are released by industry into the nation's environment each year, including 72 million pounds of recognized carcinogens
- The health and environmental effects of the majority of 80,000 chemicals used in the U.S. are unknown because they are largely unregulated
- A total of 42 billion pounds of chemical substances are produced or imported in the U.S. for commercial and industrial uses on a daily basis
- 90% of these substances rely on fossil fuel feedstocks
- The total costs of environmentally attributable disease and disability in the state of Oregon for adults and children combined is estimated at $1.57 billion annually
- Increasing incidence of some types of cancer, asthma, cardiovascular disease, developmental disorders, birth defects, neurobehavioral disorders can all be attributed to exposure to toxins
- Children have a disproportionate level of exposure and increased susceptibility to the effects of toxins
Our Plan
Organizations across the U.S. are increasingly recognizing the strong business case for building and supporting our capacity to use green chemistry. Several states including California and Michigan have already developed plans to increase the implementation of green chemistry. These states recognize that it can be an integral component of sustainable economic development and are taking action to become leaders in the field.
What actions should we take to help advance green chemistry in Oregon?
What’s preventing us from taking these actions?
How can we most effectively support organizations that want to use green chemistry?
OEC has been working with a group of green chemistry leaders from businesses, public agencies, NGOs and universities to answer these questions. We are working collaboratively to identify and prioritize options that can reduce the negative health and environmental impacts of chemicals used in commerce. By promoting the design and redesign of chemical substances and manufacturing processes, we can stimulate innovation, reduce overall costs, and increase our competitiveness in the global market.
Our vision is that Oregon will become a national leader in the development and implementation of green chemistry to design products and processes that protect the public and our environment from hazardous materials while promoting innovation and a vital economy.
Oregon has earned a reputation as a leader in environmental and sustainability related policy, business, and knowledge. While our past accomplishments merit such a reputation, we must remain diligent in our pursuit of new and innovative approaches to sustainability. In doing so, we must recognize the increasing role that collaboration plays and implement strategies that encourage and facilitate partnerships between industry, academia, and the public sector.
Multiple Levels, Multiple Benefits
OEC works at multiple levels to support and promote the use of green chemistry in Oregon and the region. We're engaged in projects that help promote and support pollution prevention, toxics reduction, and the use of safer alternatives. This work complements the upstream emphasis placed on product and process design associated with green chemistry by providing protection from existing sources of toxic substances.
Implementing green chemistry principles can have a variety of added benefits in areas like global warming, agriculture, water quality, and sustainable economic development.
Fostering Sustainable Economic Development
Green chemistry has vast potential to transform our economy and increase the economic viability of Oregon companies, as well as reduce the environmental impacts of many of our products, and create green jobs. Green chemistry principles should be implemented with sustainability in mind so that social well-being is addressed.
Protecting Oregonians from Exposure to Toxins
Our Environmental Health program is working to forward legislation designed to protect kids’ health from exposure to toxic substances.
Addressing Global Warming
Improving the energy efficiency of processes can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Supporting Healthy Food and Farms
Developing environmentally benign alternatives to pesticides used in agriculture can help limit our exposure to toxins in our food and water.
Improving Water Quality
A reduction in the amount of chemicals and the toxicity of those chemicals used means that fewer of them will end up in our streams and rivers.
Abundant Opportunities for Oregon
The application of green chemistry principles can contribute to increased opportunities for Oregon businesses. By becoming early adopters of green chemistry principles, Oregon businesses can gain a competitive advantage in an increasingly competitive global economy. Several Oregon companies in the sportswear, forest products, and cleaning products industries have already demonstrated how green chemistry can be used to reduce toxic chemicals in manufacturing and are realizing financial benefits from doing so.
Research and Education
Oregon universities, including the University of Oregon, host some of the nation’s leading experts in green chemistry and related fields. Researchers are already helping businesses in Oregon meet some of their sustainability-related challenges through the use of green chemistry. Educators are also providing leadership in the development and dissemination of green chemistry education materials.
Additional resources are needed to expand our research and development capacity in green chemistry so we can continue to innovate in ways that improve the environmental and economic performance of Oregon businesses. We also need a way to foster new relationships between industry and academia so that new partnerships can bring green chemistry solutions to market.
Public Policy
State and local leaders across Oregon are increasingly establishing policies designed to develop sustainable industries. In some instances, the reduction or elimination of toxic chemicals and materials represents a major challenge to their efforts to implement sustainable practices. Integrating green chemistry into our state economic development strategy could generate significant benefits for our economy, help create jobs, and protect our communities and our environment.
