Green and Sustainable Chemistry Team

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Project Duration: January 2025 – December 2026

What is the problem?

U.S. EPA defines green chemistry as the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances across the life-cycle of a chemical product, including its design, manufacture, use, and ultimate disposal.  

The current state of green 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 chemistry, materials management, and circularity for contaminants and toxic chemicals.

Team Leaders

Program Advisors