The California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) has developed a
six-part framework for furthering the statewide Green Chemistry Initiative.
Launched in April 2007 and leading to more than
800 ideas, the Green Chemistry Initiative is an effort to change how California approaches chemicals. The framework touches on evaluating chemicals, informing businesses about how to reduce toxins in products, bringing green chemistry to the classroom and educating businesses and consumers about what is in products and how those products have impacted the environment.
One major thrust of the Initiative is to focus more on the beginning stages of products to prevent and minimize toxins and waste, instead of focusing on toxin cleanup and product disposal.
“Rather than managing wastes at the end of a product's lifecycle, Green Chemistry shifts our focus to designing chemicals, processes, and goods that have little or no adverse affects during the manufacturing, use or disposal of a product,“ said Cal/EPA Secretary Linda Adams.
The benefit to businesses can be significant, as shown by Nelson Nameplate Company in Los Angeles. The company created a new manufacturing process and new cleaning solution for cleaning metal and printing nameplates without toxic solvents. The company reduced health hazards to its employees, lowered its smog-causing emissions 90 percent and saw its business double, with the investment in research and development getting paid back in two years.
One recommendation in the framework is to expand and alter the Department of Toxic Substances Control's pollution prevention program to include more business sectors, address green chemistry and product stewardship, and shift from just waste reduction to include design, manufacturing and distribution.
The framework also calls for adding or enhancing green chemistry and green engineering education in public schools, universities and colleges. Along with education, the framework aims to foster research and development of new technologies, recommending the creation of green chemistry technology transfer centers to allow for rapid commercialization of technologies.
Two different directories are also recommended to spread information about chemicals. An online product ingredient network would require companies to disclose the chemical ingredients used in products being sold in California. Although confidential business information would not be made public, a state agency would be able to view confidential ingredients to see if they include hazardous substances.
The second directory is the Toxics Information Clearinghouse, an online listing of chemicals, their toxicity and hazards associated with them. That clearinghouse is already required to be created thanks to Senate Bill 509, signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in September.
The governor also signed Assembly Bill 1879 at the same time, which covers another of the recommendations: the development of a science-based process for evaluating chemicals of concern and alternatives. The bill allows the Department of Toxic Substances Control to prioritize, evaluate and regulate chemicals of concern. It also creates a Green Ribbon Science Panel to provide advice and input.
Lastly, the framework calls for California to shift to a "cradle-to-cradle economy" by 2050, by establishing a Green Products Registry, and developing metrics and tools for evaluating the impacts of products. The goal is for retailers and consumer to be able to easily assess products and move towards safer, more sustainable choices.
As noted, only two parts of the framework are being put in place through legislation, and Cal/EPA expects as more parts of the plan are adopted and analyzed, more specific actions will be developed.
