United Slates
Environmental Protection
Agency
o-EPA The Presidential
Green Chemistry Challenge
Awards Program
Nomination Package for
2005 Awards
-A CH£ *
Closing Date: December 31, 2004
:' Recycled/RecyclablePrinted with vegetable oil based inks on 100% (minimum 50% postconsumer) recycled paper.
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The Presidential Green Chemistry
Challenge Awards Program:
Nomination Package for 2005 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 2005 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 iii^
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. In green chemistry, health and environmental effects are
important throughout a technology's lifecycle. In many cases, incremental
improvements are necessary.
THE PRESIDENTIAL GREEN CHEMISTRY CHALLENGE AWARDS PROGRAM rec-
ognizes technologies that incorporate the principles of green chemistry into
chemical design, manufacture, and use. THE AWARDS PROGRAM is open to all
individuals, groups, and organizations, both nonprofit and for profit, including
academia, government, and industry. The nominated green chemistry technology must
have reached a significant milestone within the past five years in the United States (e.g.,
been researched, demonstrated, implemented, applied, patented, etc.).
EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics is particularly interested in
technologies that reduce or eliminate the following: lead; mercury; perfluorinat-
ed 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 sent no later than December 31. Awards will be pre-
sented the following summer in Washington, DC.
Nominated green chemistry technologies should be an example of one or
more of the following three focus areas:
1. The 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
on how well they meet the following criteria:
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 pproximately 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 nominations must meet certain requirements. Entrants
must submit a printed, single-spaced nomination that is no longer than eight
pages, with type no smaller than 12-point on SViz-by-ll-mch paper with margins
of at least 1 inch. Nominations may include chemical reactions, tables, graphs,
photographs, and other illustrations. Although entrants may wish to use color in
their nominations, the judging panel may be reading nominations photocopied
in black and white. Entrants should not, therefore, submit nominations that rely
on color for interpretation. 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 titles), addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, and
email addresses (if available) of the following individuals or organizations:
Primary sponsor(s) (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 tide.
Description of the most recent milestone(s), with date(s), that the
nominated technology has reached within the past five years.
Examples include, but are not limited to, pilot plant constructed,
results published, patent application submitted or approved, and
technology implemented or commercialized.
Statement indicating whether the nominated technology is eligible
for either the small business or academic award.
Award Categories
How to Enter
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3.
Statement indicating which one of the three focus areas best describes
the nominated technology. If the nominated technology falls within
more than one focus area, you may include the other focus area(s). If
you are unsure, make a note and EPA will review your classification.
A technical abstract not to exceed 200 words that describes the nom-
inated project.
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 pages should explain in detail how die nominated project
meets die selection criteria. Explain the following:
How die technology meets the scope and focus area(s) of die
Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge program.
All human healdi and/or environmental benefits of the technology.
The chemistry of die new technology, emphasizing how die technol-
ogy is innovative and of scientific merit Patent numbers or references
.to peer-reviewed publications may strengthen your nomination.
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 email. If you have not received
an acknowledgment by mid-January, please contact Richard Engler at
engler.richard@epa.gov or (202) 564-8740.
You must submit an original hard copy and an electronic copy of the nomina-
tion widi die sponsor's name in die file name. The electronic copy may be emailed
to engler.richard@epa.gov (preferred) or sent on a floppy disk, Zip disk, or CD,
clearly labeled widi die primary sponsor, computer format (Windows or
Macintosh), and file name(s). The nomination must be sent no later than December
31. The mailing address (USPS only) is:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Mail Code 7406M
Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge
Attn: Richard Engler
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460
Note: Irradiation of Federal mail may damage electronic media. If you are send-
ing a disk, please use a package delivery service and the address on die next
page.
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Please use the following address for shipping via package delivery services:
Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge
Attn: Richard Engler
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPA East, Room 5133
1201 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20004
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 2005, 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 engler.richard@epa.gov or (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 die purposes of this subtide -
"(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.
Title of Nomination
Primary Sponsor(s):
Full name
Title
Address
Phone
Fax
Email (if available)
Contact Person(s):
Full name
Tide
Address
Phone
Fax
Email
Contributor^):
Full name
Tide
Address
Phone
Fax
Email (if available)
Primary sponsor(s)-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. Note: EPA sends acknowledgments by email.
Contributors-Individual or organization that provided financial or
technical support for the nominated project
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Y
I our nomination should include the following components:
(see "How to Enter", pages 3-4, for details)
An original hard copy of the nomination.
D Cover page.
° Technical abstract (200 words or fewer).
D Statement affirming that the project has been researched, demon-
strated, implemented, and/or applied in the United States within the
past 5 years. Include the most recent milestone (s) and date(s).
D Statement indicating whether the nomination is eligible for either the
"Academic" or "Small Business" category.
D Statement identifying which one of the three focus areas described on
pages 1 and 2 of this package is the most applicable to the nominat-
ed project.
D Executive summary (one page).
D Project description (5 pages or fewer).
An electronic copy (by email or on disk). EPA prefers email submis-
sions for all but the largest files. Note: Irradiation of Federal mail may
damage electronic media.
Award
Nomination
Checklist
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