United .f ates
Eiw i'n 3ntal Protection
Age ;y
The Presidential
Green Chemistry Challenge
Awards Program
Nomination Package for
2004 Awards
Closing Date: December 31, 2003
Recycled/RecyclablePrinted with vegetal «!! based IriKs on 100% (minimum 50% postconsumer) recycled paper.
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Office of Polluti
EPA744-K-03-002
June 2003
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The Presidential Green Chemistry
Challenge Awards Program:
Nomination Package for 2004 Awards
Contents
Scope of the Program 1
Scope Focus Areas 1
Selection Criteria 2
Award Categories 3
How to Enter 3
Judging Entries 5
Notification of Winners 5
Additional Information 5
Footnotes 5
Sample Cover Page 6
Award Nomination Checklist 7
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The Presidential Green Chemistry
Challenge Awards Program
Nomination Package for 2004 Awards
THE PRESIDENTIAL GREEN CHEMISTRY CHALLENGE was established to recog-
nize and promote fundamental and innovative chemical methods that
accomplish pollution prevention through source reduction and that have broad
applicability in industry. The Challenge is sponsored by the Office of Pollution
Prevention and Toxics of the United States Environmental Protection Agency in
partnership with the chemical community. For the purposes of this program,
green chemistry is defined as "the use of chemistry for source reduction." Source
reduction is the highest tier of the risk management hierarchy as described in the
Pollution Prevention Act of 1990.' Green chemistry involves a reduction in or
elimination of the use or generation of hazardous materials, including feedstocks,
reagents, solvents, products, and byproducts, from a chemical process. Green
chemistry encompasses all aspects and types of chemical processes, including
synthesis, catalysis, analysis, monitoring, separations and reaction conditions,
that reduce impacts on human health and the environment relative to the cur-
rent state of the art.
THE PRESIDENTIAL GREEN CHEMISTRY CHALLENGE AWARDS PROGRAM was
established to recognize technologies that incorporate the principles of green
chemistry into chemical design, manufacture, and use. The evaluation of the new
technology's impact will include considerations of the health and environmental
effects throughout the technology's life cycle with a recognition that incremental
improvements are necessary.
THE PRESIDENTIAL GREEN CHEMISTRY CHALLENGE AWARDS PROGRAM is
open to all individuals, groups, and organizations, both nonprofit and for profit,
including academia, government, and industry. The nominated green chemistry tech-
nology must have reached a significant milestone within the past 5 years in the United
States (e.g., been researched, demonstrated, implemented, applied, patented, etc.).
For 2004, EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics is particularly
interested in technologies that reduce or eliminate the following: lead; mercury;
perfluorinated alkyl surfactants; polychlorinated or polybrominated biphenyls;
or persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances.
This nomination package contains concise instructions on how to enter the
competition. Entries must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2003.
Awards will be presented in summer 2004, in Washington, DC.
Nominated green chemistry technologies should be an example of one or
more of the following three focus areas:
1. Hie use of alternative synthetic pathways for green chemistry,
such as:
Catalysis/biocatalysis.
Natural processes, such as photochemistry and biomimetic synthesis.
Alternative feedstocks that are more innocuous and renewable
(e.g., biomass).
Scope of the
Program
Scope Focus
Areas
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Selection Criteria
2. The use of alternative reaction conditions for green chemistry, such
as:
Use of solvents that have a reduced impact on, human health and
the environment.
Increased selectivity and reduced wastes and emissions.
3. The design of safer chemicals that are, for example,
Less toxic than current alternatives.
Inherently safer with regard to accident potential.
Green chemistry technologies nominated for an award will be judged
based on whether they meet the following criteria (where applicable):
1. The nominated chemistry technology must fall within the scope of the
program and at least one of the focus areas.
2. The nominated chemistry technology should offer human health and/or
environmental benefits. The technology might, for example:
Reduce toxicity (acute or chronic), illness or injury, flammability,
explosion potential, emissions or other releases, transport of haz-
ardous substances, or use of hazardous substances in reaction
processes.
Improve usage of natural resources, such as renewable feedstocks.
Enhance biodiversity.
3. The nominated chemistry technology should be generally applicable to
a large and broad-based segment of chemical manufacturers, users, or soci-
ety at large. The nominated technology should offer at least the following:
A realistic approach to green chemistry.
A remedy to a real environmental management problem.
Features that can be transferred readily to other facilities, locations,
and industry sectors.
4. The nominated chemistry technology should be innovative and .of sci-
entific merit. The technology should be, for example:
Original (i.e., never employed before).
Scientifically valid. That is, can the nominated technology or strate-
gy stand up to scientific scrutiny through peer review? Has the mech-
anism of action been thoroughly elucidated through sound scientific
research?
IMPORTANT: The judging panel will look for as much detail (nonpro-
prietary) as possible about the nominated technology. Specifics of the
chemistry, including comparisons to an existing technology, toxicity data,
quantities of hazardous substances being reduced or eliminated, degree
of implementation in commerce, and other technical, human health,
environmental, and economic benefits, will both assist the judging panel
in evaluating your nomination and enhance the prospects of your nomi-
nation winning.
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A;
Ipproximately five awards will be made. One award will be made to each
of the following:
A small business2 for a project in any of the scope focus areas.
An academic investigator for a project in any of the scope focus areas.
Any sponsor for a project in focus area 1 (the use of alternative synthet-
ic pathways for green chemistry).
Any sponsor for a project in focus area 2 (the use of alternative reaction
conditions for green chemistry).
Any sponsor for a project in focus area 3 (the design of safer chemicals).
Self-nominations are allowed and expected. There is no entry fee and no stan-
dard entry form, but certain requirements must be met. Entrants must submit
a typed, single-spaced nomination that is no longer than eight pages, written in
12-point type on SVa-by-ll-inch paper with 1-inch margins. Nominations longer
than eight pages total will not be accepted.
The nomination must include the following:
1. A one-page cover sheet with a project title followed by the complete
names {with tides), addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, and e-
mail addresses (if available) of the following individuals or organizations:
Primary sponsor (individual or organization that owns the project
or, in the case of academic projects, is the principal investigator).
Contact person(s) (individual who is responsible for communica-
tions with the awards program sponsors). For academic nominations,
the contact will likely be the principal investigator. For government
and industrial nominations, the contact will likely be a project man-
ager or other technical representative. Industrial nominations may
also include a public relations contact.
Contributor(s) (individual or organization that provided financial or
technical support for project development or implementation).
Providing information on contributor(s) is optional.
2. The cover sheet should be followed by a page containing the following
information:
Project title.
Statement affirming that the nominated technology has been
researched, demonstrated, implemented, and/or applied in the
United States within the past 5 years. Include a description of the
most recent milestone(s) and date(s). Examples include, but are not
limited to, pilot plant constructed, results published, patent applica-
tion submitted, and technology commercialized.
Statement indicating whether the nominated technology is eligible
for either the small business or academic award.
Statement indicating within which of the three focus areas the nominat-
ed project can be categorized. (If the nominated technology falls within
more man one focus area, a primary focus area should be designated.)
If you are unsure, make a note and EPA will review the classification.
A technical abstract not to exceed 200 words that briefly describes
the nominated project.
Award Categories
How to Enter
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3. The third page should consist of a one-page executive summary of the
nominated project. Please repeat the project tide on this page.
4. The remaining five pages can be used to detail how the nominated pro-
ject meets the selection criteria. Explain the following:
How the technology meets the scope and focus area(s) of the
Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge program.
All human health and/or environmental benefits of the technology.
The chemistry of the new technology, emphasizing how the technol-
ogy is innovative and of scientific merit.
(Some criteria might not apply to every nominated project. Such
instances should be indicated where appropriate.)
There is no limit on the number of entries that may be submitted by one spon-
sor. Each project, however, must be nominated as a separate entry and submit-
ted separately.
All entries received will be considered public information. No material will be
returned. Program sponsors are not responsible for lost or damaged entries. EPA
acknowledges receipt of nominations, usually by e-mail. If you have not received
an acknowledgement by mid-January, please contact Richard Engler at 202 564-
8740.
You must submit an original hard copy and an electronic copy of the nomina-
tion. The electronic copy may either be e-mailed to engler.richard@epa.gov or sent
on a floppy disk, Zip disk, or CD, clearly labeled with the primary sponsor, com-
puter format (Windows or Macintosh), and file name(s). The nomination must be
postmarked no later than December 31,2003. The mailing address (USPS only) is:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Mail Code 7406M
Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge
Attn: Richard Engler
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
Nominations may also be sent via overnight shipping services. Please use the
following address when shipping:
Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge
Attn: Richard Engler
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA East, Room 5133
1201 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
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A panel of technical experts selected by the American Chemical Society will
judge the entries. These experts might include members of the scientific,
industrial, governmental, educational, and environmental communities. Judges
may request verification of any chemistry described or claims made in entries that
are selected as finalists. The judges will select award recipients based on the chem-
istry projects or programs that best meet the selection criteria.
Winners will be notified prior to the official public announcement, which
will be made in summer 2004, in Washington, DC. A crystal sculpture will
be presented to the primary sponsor of the winning green chemistry project in
each of the five award categories. Certificates will be presented to individuals (as
identified by the primary sponsor) who contributed to the research, develop-
ment, or implementation of the chemistry.
Questions about eligibility, nomination procedures, or the Presidential Green
Chemistry Challenge program should be directed to Richard Engler of
EPA's Industrial Chemistry Branch at 202 564-8740.
'Pertinent sections of the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990:
Sec. 6601. SHORT TITLE.
This subtitle may be cited as the "Pollution Prevention Act of 1990."
Sec. 6602. FINDINGS AND POLICY.
(b) Policy. - "The Congress hereby declares it to be the national policy of
the United States that pollution should be prevented or reduced at the
source whenever feasible."
Sec. 6603. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this subtitle -
"(5)(A) The term "source reduction" means any practice which:
(i) reduces the amount of any hazardous substance, pollutant, or con-
taminant entering any waste stream or otherwise released into the
environment (including fugitive emissions) prior to recycling, treat-
ment, or disposal, and
(ii) reduces the hazards to public health and the environment associ-
ated with the release of such substances, pollutants, or contaminants."
2A small business is defined here as one with annual sales of less than $40 mil-
lion, including all domestic and foreign sales by the company, its subsidiaries,
and its parent company.
Judging Entries
Notification
of Winners
Additional
Information
Footnotes
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Sample Cover
Page
lease use the format below for the cover page of your nomination.
Tide of Nomination
Primary Sponsor:
Full name
Title
Address
Phone
Fax
E-mail {if available)
Contact Per son (s):
Full name
Title
Address
Phone
Fax
E-mail (if available)
Contributor (s):
Full name
Tide
Address
Phone
Fax
E-mail (if available)
Primary sponsor-Individual or organization that owns the project. In
the case of academics, the principal investigator.
Contact person(s)-Individual available for communication about the
nomination.
Contributor (s)-Individual or organization that provided financial or
technical support for the nominated project.
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Y
our nomination should include the following components:
see "How to Enter" for further details)
Cover page.
Technical abstract (200 words or less).
Statement affirming that the project has been researched, demonstrat-
ed, implemented, and/or applied in the United States within the past 5
years. Include the most recent milestone(s) and date(s).
Statement indicating whether the nomination is eligible for either the
"Academic" or "Small Business" category.
Statement identifying which of the three focus areas described on pages
1 and 2 is the most applicable to the nomination project. (Other focus
areas may also be identified).
Executive summary (one page).
Project description (5 pages or less).
An original hard copy of the nomination.
An electronic copy (either by e-mail or on disk). Note: Irradiation of
Federal mail may damage electronic media.
Award
Nomination
Checklist
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