Principles of Green Chemistry

Definition of Sustainability Brundtland Commission, 1987, United Nations

• “Providing for human needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”

Abraham, M. 2003, Environ. Progress 23, 261.

• Figure 2. Relationship between green chemistry, green engineering, and sustainability.

• Sustainability

• Green Engineering

• Green Chemistry

Sustainability Engineering Principles Beloff, B. et al. Eds. 2005, Transforming Sustainability Strategy into Action: The Chemical Industry, Wiley-Interscience, p. 189

• Engineer processes and products holistically, use systems analysis, and integrate environmental impact assessment tools
• Conserve and improve natural ecosystems while protecting human health and well-being
• Use lifecycle thinking in all engineering activies

Sustainability Engineering Principles

• 4. Ensure that all material and energy inputs and outputs are as inherently safe and benign as possible
• 5. Minimize depletion of natural resources.
• 6. Strive to prevent waste.
• 7. Develop and apply engineering solutions, while being cognizant of local geography, aspirations, and cultures.

Sustainability Engineering Principles

• 8. Create engineering solutions beyond current or dominant technologies; improve, innovate and invent (technologies) to achieve sustainability
• 9. Actively engage communities and stakeholders in development of engineering solutions
• There is a duty to inform society of the practice of sustainable engineering.

Figure 3. Impact indicators used in life-cycle assessment screening of fuel additives.

Curran, Mary Ann 2003, Environ. Progress 22, 277.

Air Emissions (lb)

Metals in Air (lb)

Water Effluents (lb)

Metals in Water (lb)

Solid Waste lb)

Fossil Fuel Use (Btu)

Non-Fossil Fuel Use (lb)

Water Use (gal)

Land Use (acres)

Transportation (miles)

Agrochemical Use (lb)

CO2 Uptake (lb)