Green Chemistry Innovation Case Studies
Coastwide Laboratories
Coastwide Laboratories’ green chemistry efforts began in 1988—and the company was able to successfully develop greener ingredients to replace “bad actors” in their cleaning product formulations. Coastwide soon recognized that there was an emerging market for greener chemicals and began researching green chemistry options for cleaning products.
Nike
Using green chemistry, Nike was able to produce a more environmentally friendly rubber for its footwear that was created with benign accelerators, vegetable oils, and modified processing chemicals and methods. The environmentally friendly rubber performs as well as the one it replaced.
Columbia Forest Products
The use of urea formaldehyde-based adhesives has been the standard practice in manufacturing decorative hardwood plywood for decades. Columbia Forest Products had been searching for alternative adhesives for many years since formaldehyde is a toxic chemical—but they needed one that didn’t add any costs to the operation.
Blount, Inc.
Blount continually seeks to reduce its use of toxic chemicals, hazardous materials, and waste as part of its sustainability journey. Green chemistry enabled Blount to utilize a new technology that substitutes lead and the other hazardous chemicals for non-toxic and nonhazardous alternatives.
Neil Kelly Cabinets
Mark Smith, “Smitty”, has been making cabinets for a while now. He believes they need to be durable, attractive and made using products that are safer for people and the environment. To him, protecting his employees and making low-impact, quality cabinets go hand and hand.
Alima Pure
Kate O’Brien established Alima Pure in 2004 from her home. She now employs 10 people in a 2,500-square foot manufacturing facility in Portland, Oregon. The company strives to make high quality cosmetic products that are both safe and affordable, and meet the more rigorous regulatory standards of Europe and Asia.
Yolo Colorhouse
While they didn’t see it as a financial opportunity at first, the co-founders of Yolo Colorhouse new there was a demand for paint that performed and didn’t expose people of the environment to toxic chemicals. However, now they believe that increasing consumer awareness about indoor air quality and the health impacts of exposure to toxic chemicals are important factors in strengthening demand for safer, effective products.
