United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics
(7406)
EPA744-F-97-003
March 1997
BACKGROUND:
SCOPE AND
OBJECTIVES:
The Presidential Green
Chemistry Challenge
Program Scope and Objectives
President Clinton announced the Presidential Green
Chemistry {Challenge on March 16, 1995, as part of the
Reinventing Environmental Regulations Initiative to "pro-
mote pollution prevention and industrial ecology through a
new EPA [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency] Design
for the Environment partnership with the chemical indus-
try." EPA's" Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics is
leading this;.voluntary partnership program with other EPA
offices, otlifefederal agencies, members of the chemical
industry, tKtde associations, scientific organizations, and
academia. """'
The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge was estab-
lished to recognize and promote fundamental and
innovative chemical methodologies that accomplish pollu-
tion prevention and that have broad application in industry.
For purposes of the program, green chemistry is defined as
the use of chemistry for source reduction, the highest tier of
the risk management hierarchy as described in the Pollution
Prevention Act of 1990. Green chemistry involves a reduc-
tion in, or elimination of, the use or generation of '
hazardous substances—including feedstocks, reagents, sol-
vents, products, and byproducts—from a chemical process.
Green chemistry encompasses all aspects and types of chem-
ieal processes—including syndiesis, catalysis, analysis,
monitoring, separations, and reaction conditions—that
reduce negative impacts on human health and the environ-
ment relative to the current state of the art.
-J- Through awards and grants programs, the Presidential
Green Chemistry Challenge recognizes and
**jSft?iPl promotes fundamental and innovative
technologies that incorporate the
principles of green chemistry into ^ , • TJ^,
chemical design, manufacture, and Ay j ( ^
^J
use, arf4 that have been or can be
utilized(by industry in achieving
pollution prevention goals.
Printed on paper that contains at least 20 perqent postconsumer fiber.
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SCOPI Focus AREAS
The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge recognizes and promotes the
following green chemistry methodologies:
L The use of alternative synthetic pathways for green chemistry, such as
• Catalysis/biocatalysis,
• Natural processes, such as photochemistry and biomimetic synthesis, or
• Alternative feedstocks that are more innocuous and renewable
, "i (e-g-> biomass).
••. >W
J 2. The use of alternative reaction conditions for green chemistry, such as
.*' c • Use of solvents that have a reduced impact on human health and the
^\ environment, or
- "!" **;, * Increased selectivity and reduced wastes and emissions.
:".$ v
J^rsThedesign of chemicals that are, for example,
• LessTroxic dian current alternatives, or
• "' v' . "•
• Inherently safer with regard to accident potential.
Additional information on the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge
program is available by calling EPA's Pollution Prevention Information
Clearinghouse at 202^260-1023. Information is also available from
Paul Anastas and Tracjr^lliamson of EPA's Industrial Chemistry Branch at
w * Aif ' -£-!, ' ' *
: at (Kttp://www.epa.gov/docs/gcc).
U.S.EPA
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