Green and Sustainable Chemistry Team

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Project Duration: January 2025 – December 2026

What is the problem?

“Sustainable chemistry is the chemistry that produces compounds or materials from building blocks, reagents, and catalysts that are readily-available and renewable, operates at optimal efficiency, and employs renewable energy sources. This includes the intentional design, manufacture, use, and end-of-life management of chemicals, materials, and products across their life cycle that do not adversely impact human health and the environment, while promoting circularity, meeting societal needs, contributing to economic resilience, and aspiring to perpetually use elements, compounds, and materials without depletion of resources or accumulation of waste” (Federal Sustainable Chemistry Strategic Plan 2024).

The current state of sustainable chemistry and materials management policies often focuses on individual chemicals or classes of chemicals. Regulatory agencies are developing bans across classes of chemicals in either specific priority products or a range of products, leading to administrative burdens, financial costs, and the continued presence of hazardous substances in the environment. While bans on these chemicals in products are essential, they do not address the broader issue of toxics in the product lifecycle, including reuse, recycling, and disposal. The growing momentum of circularity highlights the need for a more holistic approach that considers the entire lifecycle of products and materials, from production to waste management. Read more in the Team Project Proposal.

What is the solution?

This Project Team will identify best practices, case studies, and opportunities for green and sustainable chemistry and circularity. The Team will compile resources and develop a document that will summarize current state and federal regulations and programs related to green chemistry and provide case studies of current best practices. The team will also develop a framework for environmental professionals that considers the intersection of green and sustainable chemistry, materials management, and circularity for contaminants and toxic chemicals.

Team Leaders

Program Advisors