Green and sustainable remediation (GSR) considers the environmental, economic, and social impacts of cleaning up contaminated sites. Green remediation focuses on reducing the environmental footprint of cleanup activities, such as energy use, waste generation, and emissions. Sustainable remediation takes a broader approach by also considering economic and social factors, such as costs and community needs. Green and sustainable remediation builds on the existing process for protecting human health and the environment while looking for ways to make cleanup more sustainable.
Green and Sustainable Remediation: State of the Science and Practice (GSR-1, 2011) introduces the concepts, approaches, and tools that organizations use to incorporate green and sustainable remediation into site management decisions. The guidance explains how federal and state agencies, industry, and other organizations define and apply green and sustainable remediation. It also discusses the challenges created by the lack of consistent definitions and measures. The document helps regulators and other stakeholders understand the current state of green and sustainable remediation and consider how these concepts can support cleanup decisions.
The related guidance, Green and Sustainable Remediation: A Practical Framework (GSR-2, 2011), provides a flexible approach for incorporating green and sustainable remediation practices into existing site investigation and remediation programs.
Topic(s): Green Remediation, Sustainability
