Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    1/26

    AdvancingGreen ChemistryGreen ChemistryGreen Chemistryin Oregon

    Recommedaios from h

    Orego Gree Chemisry Advisory Grou

    July 201

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    2/26

    Executive Summary

    Background

    Process

    Case Studies

    Coastwide Laboratories

    Blount, Inc. 1

    Columbia Forest Products

    Nike, Inc.

    Findings 1

    Benefits

    Opportunities

    Barriers and Needs

    Recommendations 1Conclusion 2

    Appendix A 2

    Appendix B 2

    Endnotes 2

    2

    CO

    ntents

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    3/26

    3

    The results o the Oregon Green

    Chemistry Advisory Group provide a

    sound blueprint or the work the state

    o Oregon and Oregon businesses and

    universities can undertake to solidiy

    our leadership in an arena that will

    beneft the health o our economy and

    our citizens or decades to come.

    lizabeh Whale, Porlad ae Uiv.

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    4/26

    xecuive ummary

    Green chemistry can help Oregon businessescreate and produce cleaner, safer productsand is integral to our pursuit of a more sus-tainable economy. Green chemistry innovationis helping a variety of Oregon businesses dra-matically improve their environmental per-formance and overcome some of their mostsignicant sustainability-related challenges.It is increasing their protability, reducingcosts and liability, and catalyzing new elds ofentrepreneurial activity in the state. Support-ing green chemistry research, developmentand education capacity will cement Oregonsreputation as a national leader in sustainablebusiness and green innovation.

    Green chemistry reduces or eliminates the use orgeneration of hazardous substances in the design,manufacture and application of chemicals andchemical products.1 Green chemistry is used to cre-ate products and processes that are safer for work-ers, the public, and the environment. The principlesof green chemistry help chemists and engineersconsider the toxicity, energy efciency, water us-age, and source materials throughout the life cycleof chemicals, products and processesand canhelp prevent pollution by creating substances thatare benign by design.

    Oregon has several strategic advantages that canhelp the state successfully advance the use ofgreen chemistry: Nationally recognized academicexpertise in green chemistry; a business environ-

    ment geared toward sustainability; and a consumerbase interested in purchasing green products.

    In recognition of these advantages, the OregonEnvironmental Council (OEC) convened the OregonGreen Chemistry Advisory Group (OGCAG), whichis comprised of leaders from industry, academia,public agencies, and non-governmental organiza-

    tions (NGOs) (see Appendix B). For six months,members of the group analyzed ndings from casstudies of how green chemistry has been suc-cessfully used by Oregon companies, evaluatedstrategic efforts undertaken by other states andorganizations to develop this eld, and immerseditself in dialogue to develop recommendations tostrengthen green chemistry in Oregon.

    The OGCAG arrived at four key recommendationsthat focus on supporting the development, manu-facturer, and use of safer chemicals, materialsand products through an integrated, multi-sectorapproach. The recommendations aim to further establish a nexus of people, ideas, tools, and practices that will spur innovation to develop and producsafer chemicals and materials.

    4

    Our new process is not

    only better or our em-

    ployees and the environ-

    ment, but the cost savingsBlount has realized is

    better or our bottom-line

    as well.

    Jaso mih, Blou Ic.

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    5/26

    Increase understanding and awareness

    of the benets of using green chemistry

    among key decision makers.

    Green chemistry makes products and processesinherently more sustainable. Oregon should fa-cilitate a focused, multi-sector dialogue that willidentify how we can use green chemistry to meetbusiness needs and take advantage of opportuni-ties to grow our economy and protect Oregonscitizens and the environment.

    Enhance Oregons existing and future work-

    force through education and training that

    supports the use of green chemistry.

    Academia, government and NGOs should bridgeknowledge gaps among employees and manage-ment to help organizations use green chemistryto foster innovation by making informed decisionsabout the types of chemicals, materials, products,and processes used throughout the lifecycles oftheir goods and services.

    Expand Oregons public and private

    green chemistry research and

    development capacity.

    Many of the tools needed to apply greenchemistryincluding reactions, solvents andreagentsdo not exist. They need to be inventedand developed through a combination of public anprivate research. Increasing the availability of greechemistry tools will enable chemists, engineers,and other professionals to successfully incorporatgreen chemistry into a wider range of productsand processes.

    Commit state and local resources to suppo

    green chemistry innovation.

    The state of Oregon should foster collaborationand build capacity for green chemistry. This wouldinclude adopting policies that support the use ofgreen chemistry through an executive order, legis-lation and/or modication of administrative rules.

    1

    2

    4

    Implementing these recommendations will require the input of a wide array of or-ganizations and expertise. The best way to coordinate, manage and leverage invest-ment in these efforts is to create an integrated organization dedicated to the ad-

    vancement of green chemistry. We advocate for the formation of a statewide greenchemistry resource Hub. The Hub will build on the existing work and partnershipsin the state to help ensure Oregons leadership in this emerging eld.

    5

    3

    Recommendations

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    6/26

    BACkGROUn

    Chemicals are present in almost every consumer,commercial and industrial item used. They areintegral to our economy and their wise usecreates signicant benets for our society. How-ever, over the course of their life cycle, manychemicals have been shown to harm our healthand impact the environment. Efforts to mitigatethe dangers of hazardous chemicals and to reducetheir risk have come at great public and privateexpensewith mixed success.

    Meeting the chemical and material needs of oureconomy in ways that are safer, more efcient, andbased on sustainable raw materials requires newtools and techniques. Consumers, workers, govern-ments and businesses are increasingly aware ofpotential impacts that can result from the use andgeneration of hazardous substances. Green chem-istry can be used to prevent pollution at the source,and will dramatically reduce unintended healthimpacts to people and the environment, whilesimultaneously limiting the associated social andnancial costs of toxic chemicals.

    Innovation will continue to be important in main-taining competitiveness in a global economy. Greenchemistry provides the means to create and pro-duce the next generation of greener materials andproducts. Supporting green chemistry innovationcan benet businesses in every sector of our econ-omy and communities across Oregon. Pioneeringcompanies are demonstrating that this is not onlypossible, but also protable. Leading organizations

    and governments are taking action to build theirgreen chemistry capacity through policies andstrategic investment.

    The Oregon Green Chemistry Advisory Group(OGCAG) studied this issue using case studies ofsuccessful Oregon early-adopter businesses andevaluations of green chemistry efforts in Oregonand other leading states. The group found that thepublic and private benets of green chemistry aresignicant and include increased protability, re-duced costs and liability, and safer workplaces anproducts, among others.

    Oregon has a window of opportunity to lead in thield. We can be the source of innovative solutionsto some of our sustainability-related challenges,but there are barriers and needs that must be ad-dressed. This report includes four straightforward,practical recommendations that can meet theseneeds and ensure successful, widespread use of

    A recent Presidential Green ChemistryChallenge Award winner converts abundantplant sugars from non-food and home grownsources into gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel hy-drocarbon molecules previously rened onlyfrom petroleum. They can be replacementsfor, or used at high blends with, petroleumfuels in todays petroleum infrastructure.According to the company, the exothermicprocess is energy efcient, carbon neutral,water positive, and has low life cycle emis-sions. It runs under moderate conditionsand requires no external energy inputs. Ityields 30 percent more net energy than corn

    ethanol processes.

    6

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    7/26

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    8/26

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    9/26

    CA tUI

    How green chemistry was used:

    Coastwide Laboratories green chemistry effortsbegan in 1988and the company was able to suc-cessfully develop greener ingredients to replacebad actors in their cleaning product formula-tions. Coastwide soon recognized that there was anemerging market for greener chemicals and beganresearching green chemistry options for cleaningproducts. The company found a number of product

    design models on which it could base its researchefforts, but most didnt adequately integrate humanhealth and safety criteria. To ll this gap, Coastwidepartnered with a university to create a new productdesign model. The resulting model is called theSustainable Earth Green Chemistry Standard. TheSustainable Earth line of commercial and indus-trial cleaning products is based on the standard.

    Benefits of using green chemistry:

    Sales of the 15 Sustainable Earth productscomprise more than 70% of total proprietarysales for the company and continue to growat double-digit rates

    Coastwides chemical prot margins haveimproved signicantly with the growth of Sutainable Earth product sales

    Customers have reported cost savings of ove50% using SE products based upon improveproduct performance

    Higher product concentrations for SE chemicals allows Coastwide to eliminate tons ofpackaging annually, resulting in signicantcost savings

    Coaswide Laboraories Builds a new, Highly Profiable

    Cleaig Produc Lie

    9

    Kevin McShane

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    10/26

    How green chemistry was used:

    Blount continually seeks to reduce its use of tox-ics, hazardous materials, and waste as part of itsjourney to sustainability. This led to a partner-ship with the Environmental Protection Agencyto reduce the use of lead, a toxic metal. To meetits target, Blount seized an opportunity to re-place an electrolytic cleaning process that usedacids, caustics, rinse water, and lead anodes toprepare parts for chrome plating. The processgenerated acid-, caustic-, and lead-contaminatedwaste, wastewater, and process emissions.

    Green chemistry enabled Blount to utilize a newtechnology that substitutes lead and the otherhazardous chemicals for non-toxic and nonhaz-ardous alternatives. But there were barriers: theinitial cost of new equipment was high; perfor-mance tests of the new process required signi-cant amounts of time and money; and there werespace constraints in the existing facility. Blountwas able to overcome these challenges because

    of strong support from both staff and manage-ment to invest in the technology and compre-hensive accounting that showed a total costsavings would be generated from the switch.

    Benefits of using green chemistry:

    Elimination of 1,400 pounds of lead, 63,000pounds per year of related waste, and800,000 gallons per year of hazardouswaste water

    Hundreds of thousands of dollars of annualsavings in labor and raw material costs

    Increased production capacity within the ex-isting facility footprint as a result of improveprocess efciency

    Ability to provide a cleaner, healthier workenvironment for employees

    Blou, Ic. evelops a afer Maufacurig Process ha

    Icreases Producio Capaciy ad Reduces Coss

    10

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    11/26

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    12/26

    How green chemistry was used:

    A vast array of materials go into Nike prod-ucts. In the mid-nineties Nike began integrat-ing sustainability goals into the design andmanufacturing of its products, with a particu-lar focus on the toxicity of the materials thecompany used in products and processes.

    Through an evolutionary process, Nike has beenable to nd better ways to evaluate materials andmake products that are safer for consumers andthe environment over time. However, access tocomplete and reliable data from suppliers hasoften been a challenge. Developing partnershipswith suppliers has helped address this challenge.The partnerships have also allowed Nike to clearlycommunicate its goals and reach its desired out-

    comes in pursuit of more sustainable materials anproducts. Using green chemistry, Nike was able toproduce a more environmentally friendly rubber foits footwear that was created with benign accelerators, vegetable oils, and modied processing chemicals and methods. The environmentally friendlyrubber performs as well as the one it replaced.

    Benefits of using green chemistry:

    Allows Nike to create materials and prod-ucts that are in compliance with the strictestglobal chemical legislation, avoiding potentiregulatory issues in different countries orregions

    Reduces waste associated with their globalsupply chain, resulting in cost savings

    nie, Ic. Overcomes usaiabiliy Challeges by

    Creaig Greeer High-Performace Maerials

    12

    speedye

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    13/26

    FInInG

    These case studies illustrate numerous important points about the benets and challenges associated withthe use of green chemistry. With these as the backdrop for dialogue and information exchange, membersarrived at a variety of ndings during the OGCAG process. These ndings fall into three categories includingbenets, opportunities, and barriers and needs.

    BEEFIS

    he use of green chemistry generates public and private economic,environmental, and social benets.

    Case studies from businesses and research institutions in Oregon, the United States, and around theworld create a convincing body of evidence of these benets. Economic benets include competitive advantages, access to new markets, cost savings, and reduced risks to shareholder value and direct liabilitEnvironmental benets include improved water and energy efciency, and the reduction or elimination otoxic substances. Social benets include improved safety of products used in the home and workplace.

    13

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    14/26

    Oregon has the opportunity to furthersupport a high quality of life for citizensby fostering innovation through the useof green chemistry.

    The pursuit of new and innovative approaches tosustainability through green chemistry helps toprotect the quality of Oregons environment byproviding voluntary solutions that complementregulatory approaches to toxics use reduction.It can also improve the safety of our homes andworkplaces through the use of safer, less-toxicchemicals, materials, products and processes. Fi-nally, it can create, attract and retain businesseswith living-wage jobs for Oregonians.

    Building on Oregons existing resources inways that advance green chemistry is an op-portunity to support sustainable businesses.

    Oregon is uniquely positioned to implementgreen chemistry to promote innovation,economic growth and sustainable practicesbecause of our states deep technical expertise,compelling successes, resource and energybase, collaborative environment, and public/con-sumer support for sustainability. The states eco-nomic future requires diversity and innovation,including a manufacturing sector that is cleanerand more sustainable.

    Stakeholders across Oregon have theopportunity to take actions that willadvance green chemistry.

    Key decision-makers in industry can designproducts and develop supply chains that reducethe use and generation of hazardous substances.They can also support research, development,and commercialization of clean technologies andcollaborate with stakeholders across sectors. Inacademia, educators can set the stage to solveenvironmental problems with green chemistry

    by preparing and inspiring scientic leaders, theemerging and existing workforce, and students.Researchers can support new and existing chem-ical enterprise leaders and discover and designgreener chemicals and materials. Administratorscan provide support for green chemistry researchand education with seed and matching funds andprovide needed visibility to green chemistry ef-forts in their institutions.

    Decision-makers at various levels in state and lo-cal government can provide leadership in tran-sitioning to a clean economy by taking actionsto prioritize green chemistry within key depart-ments and programs in the state. Public agen-cies can use resources and adopt policies thatsupport green chemistry through collaborativepartnerships by investing in research and devel-opment that leads to innovation and diffusion.Household consumers can support greener prod-ucts and markets by purchasing and using them.They can act as champions for green productsamong peers, at stores, and in their workplaces.They can encourage the design of safer productsand processes through nancial investments andsupport policy reform to help create a modern,comprehensive chemical regulatory system.

    Retailers can help create demand for greenproducts and act as stewards of public andenvironmental health. They can advocate forfull disclosure of product toxicity and hazard tomake informed purchasing decisions and carryproducts that are safer for consumers and theenvironment. Advocates with GOs can increase

    awareness about how green chemistry can beused and the associated benets among keydecision-makers and the public. They can sup-port the public-policy process and advocate forchemicals policy reform, help provide technicalassistance for businesses, and facilitate cross-sector partnerships and collaboration.

    OPPORIIES

    14

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    15/26

    Multiple barriers prevent individuals andorganizations from fully capitalizing on thebenets of green chemistry.

    The most signicant barrier to the widespreaduse of green chemistry is a lack of understandingabout how it can be used and the benets it cre-ates. A dearth of resources to support the contin-ued development of green chemistry in Oregonis also a signicant barrier. The misperceptionthat green products and processes are not cost-effective or have a lower level of performance candeter investment in green chemistry solutions.

    Stakeholders do not yet realize the full scopeof opportunities there are to use green chemis-tryor the value it would create for businesses,academia, government, and residents in Or-egon. Insufcient public and private investmentin building intellectual capital and research &development capacity also acts as a barrier.Inadequate incentives and/or signicant disincen-tives to warrant investment in green chemistrysolutions are also barriers, as are technical chal-lenges associated with designing and producinggreener products and processes.

    To ensure the widespread use of green chemistrthroughout the state, Oregon needs to furtherencourage collaboration.

    The fact that a cross-sector, collaborative groupof professionals donated signicant time andeffort over six months illustrates a fundamentalpoint about Oregons collaborative spirit andthe value of an integrated approach. Collabora-tion helps identify synergies, coordinate efforts,build resources and expertise, bridge gaps,identify needs and opportunities, and facilitateimplementation.

    Oregon needs a balanced policy approach tsupport the use of green chemistry.

    A wise combination of policies that support in-novation, foster new ventures, create new jobs,and spur entrepreneurial activity in the eld ofgreen chemistry, coupled with traditional regulatory approaches for protecting public health andthe environment will optimize our success. Weneed both push and pull policies that stimu-late supply and demand for greener products anprocesses in Oregon. Such policies should occuat the state and local levels.

    BARRIERS A EES

    15

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    16/26

    RCOMMnAtIOn

    A diverse set of draft recommendations were developed based on the OGCAGs ndings. The draft recom-mendations were compared with options generated by green chemistry efforts in other states and by differ-ent organizations.2 This analysis helped the group evaluate gaps in the recommendations and understandother approaches. Those recommendations were subsequently rened to achieve consensus on a set of foupriority recommendations that embody the most important and effective next-step actions that Oregon cantake to advance green chemistry.

    he OGCAG encourages interested individuals and organizations to join us in making the following vision

    a reality: Oregon is a national leader in the development and implementation of green chemistry to designproducts and processes that protect the public and our environment from hazardous materials while pro-moting innovation and a vital economy. To help make this vision a reality, the OGCAG has come to consen-sus on the priority recommendations beginning on page 17.

    16

    How the recommendations were developed

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    17/26

    ext Step

    Stakeholders from the private, public and non-prot sectors should support work that increases ourunderstanding of where there are strategic needs and opportunities to use green chemistry in thestate. To accomplish this, we need to evaluate where green chemistry can be used to generate thebest economic, environmental, and social return on investment. Initially this evaluation could takeplace through a series of events designed to foster relationships and information exchange betweendecision-makers. In the long-term, the role of facilitating this dialogue should be institutionalized.

    Increase understanding and awareness of the benetsof using green chemistry among key decision-makers.

    Green chemistry provides innovative solutions to sustainability challenges related to the safety, efciency,and source of products and processes used by organizations throughout our economy. Oregon should facilitate a focused, multi-sector dialogue that will identify how green chemistry will be used to meet needs andtake advantage of opportunities to grow our economy and protect people and the environment.

    Building understanding among key stakeholders about the benets of green chemistry and motivating themto act by addressing factors that inuence their decision-making is the rst step. It will require a more ro-bust dialogue across sectors in the state and should involve the following outreach efforts:

    Academia: Build understanding and awareness with administrators and educators to encourage themto embed green chemistry into academic programs. Develop materials and programs that train andenable educators to effectively teach green chemistry. This could include the development of curriculamaterials for chemistry and multidisciplinary programs, teacher and continuing education programs,and teacher mentoring, among others.

    Industry: Develop and disseminate information to build the business case for the use of green chem-istry in industry. Develop and implement education and outreach programs that increase green chem-istry awareness among key decision-making groups, particularly in industry, through case studies andother information that helps drive change.

    Consumers: Educate and motivate consumers to make informed decisions about products throughsimple messaging about green chemistry and safer products. Social marketing strategies designed toenable consumers to make informed decisions about products could include topics related to perfor-mance, price, health, safety and environmental issues, product marketing, and chemical policy reformOverall, these strategies will help stimulate demand and result in the increased use of green chemistrby industry.

    1

    17

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    18/26

    Enhance Oregons existing and futureworkforce through education and trainingthat supports the use of green chemistry.

    Academia, government, and NGOs should bridgeknowledge gaps among employees and manage-ment to help make informed decisions about thetypes of chemicals, materials, products, and pro-cesses companies use in their goods and services.

    An understanding of how green chemistry is usedisnt the only knowledge gap that prevents busi-nesses from innovating in ways that create saferproducts and processes. Other knowledge gapsthat need to be addressed include lifecycle thinkingand analysis; true cost and sustainability account-ing; the integration of safer alternatives and greenchemistry into existing lean/high performancemanufacturing; and building values-based relation-ships with suppliers. Creating an integrated ap-proach to designing green products will require avariety of disciplines.

    2

    ext Step

    Bridge these gaps by conducting orfacilitating training and providing resourcesand tools that will result in the increasedability to make production decisions thatare economically and environmentallysound. Information and training thataddresses these gaps will help organiza-tions travel a path to greener products and

    processes through green chemistry. Expand-ing the availability of this type of informationand training through university courseworkand internships, continuing education cred-its, and other opportunities to learn and ap-ply these skills through new or existingprograms is necessary.

    Education is critical or

    building the kinds o

    knowledge and under-

    standing that empowers

    decision makers to use

    green chemistry as a tool

    or innovation.

    Julie Haac, Uiv. of Orego

    18

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    19/26

    Expand Oregons public and privategreen chemistry research &development capacity.

    Many of the needed tools to apply green chemis-tryincluding reactions, solvents, reagents, and as-sessment toolsdo not exist. They can be createdthrough a combination of public and private re-search & development. Increasing the availability ofgreen chemistry tools will help professionals makeinformed decisions and allow green chemistry tobe applied in a wider range of products and pro-cesses more effectively. Resources available to helpresearchers develop the green chemistry toolboxare needed. Providing these resources should be ashared investment between academic institutions,government and industry.

    3ext Step

    A strategic approach for identifying opportu-nities to meet the greener materials and pro-cesses needs of companies is to create aninventory of existing green chemistry tech-niques and tools. Based on this inventory,an evaluation of existing elds of expertiseamong researchers at Oregon universitiescan be used to identify potential synergies.In cases where there is strong potential formeeting research and development needs,the state can provide seed funding or othernancial assistance. This funding couldcome from a source like the Oregon Innova-tion Council or other statewide economicdevelopment initiative.

    Building Oregons green chemistry capacitythrough a strategic statewide initiative wouldgive key industries, like clean technologyand renewable energy, additional access toexpertise that can ensure the chemicals,materials, and processes used to makethese products are as green as possible,without compromising quality or protability.It would also help ensure that Oregon busi-nesses are globally competitive with prod-ucts that exhibit the highest level of environ-mental performance throughouttheir lifecycle.

    19

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    20/26

    20

    Commit state and local resources to sup-port green chemistry innovation.

    Leaders in both state and local government haveimportant roles to play in advancing green chem-istry in Oregon. Strategic resources and integratedpolicies that support the use of green chemistrywill help ensure that sustainability continues tothrive in the state. Decision-makers in publicagencies and legislative bodies have the opportu-nity to strengthen our economy while protectingpeople and our environment. Supporting greenchemistry means investing in innovative solutionsthat benet all Oregonians.

    Oregon needs a variety of push and pull poli-cies that stimulate supply and demand for greenerproducts and processes. A wise combination ofpolicies that support innovation, nurture newventures, create new jobs, and spur entrepreneur-ial activity in the eld of green chemistry, coupledwith traditional regulatory approaches for protect-ing public health and the environment willoptimize our success.

    Therefore, the State of Oregon should take actionsto foster collaboration and build our capacity to in-novate through green chemistry. This would includeadopting policies that support the use of greenchemistry through an executive order, legislationand/or modication of administrative rules. The fol-lowing actions are recommended:

    Integrate green chemistry into existing stateand local programs and agencies. This couldinclude incorporating green chemistry intoinitiatives funded by the Oregon InnovationCouncil and Business Oregon, making greenchemistry activities eligible for state eco-nomic development funds. Incorporating greenchemistry into agency sustainability plans andOregon Department of Environmental Qualitys

    Toxics Reduction Strategy will provide sup-port to existing rms and eventually act as anincentive for new rms to locate in Oregon.

    evelop a diverse set of tools and resourcesthat support the use of green chemistry by

    Oregon companies. These could include incentives to help mitigate some of the nancial risfor businesses and recognize those that aregreen chemistry leaders. In addition, Oregon

    should improve the nature and diversity oftechnical assistance available to businesses,public agencies, and NGOs through new and/or existing programs and organizations. TheEnergy Trust is a model that could be appliedto green chemistry. The state could also creata green chemistry awards program.

    4In 2009 Michigan passed three bills thatupdate state economic developmentprograms to make enterprises engaged inthe development of green chemistry eligiblefor grants, tax credits, and other benets.

    This year, Connecticut passed legislationthat attempts to put the state at theforefront of green chemistry and cleantechnology development by creating aninstitute at the University of Connective tohelp in-state businesses.

    The California Green Chemistry Initiativewas launched in 2007 to engage thepublic in developing policy goals andrecommendations for implementing acomprehensive green chemistry policyframework in the state.

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    21/26

    2

    evelop a purchasing policy that prioritizesproducts that utilize green chemistry. Requirestate contracts use green or greener productsthat exist and are competitive in terms ofprice and performance. The development ofclear metrics and criteria for determiningwhat is classied as green chemistry orgreener products is necessary to ensure theeffectiveness of a purchasing policy beingused to create demand.

    ext Step

    Successful implementation of these recom-mendations will require collaboration be-tween stakeholders from academia, industry,government and NGOs. To ensure an inte-grated approach that maximizes the value ofinvestment in green chemistry, we advocatefor the formation of a statewide green chem-istry resource Hub. The Hub will build onthe existing work and partnerships in thestate to help ensure Oregons leadership inthis emerging eld.

    The Hub will lead and facilitate the applica-tion of green chemistry in existing indus-tries while supporting new ventures andentrepreneurial activity. It will help catalyzeand strengthen cross-sector collaborationbetween academic and industry much in theway Oregons other innovation initiatives do.As these initiatives demonstrate, partner-ships between these sectors help harnessthe creativity, inventiveness, and researchand development skills at Oregons univer-sities. The open exchange of informationbetween researchers and manufacturers willresult in valuable learning, increased aware-ness and new, stronger relationships. Thiswill, in turn, aid the development of partner-ships that result in the strategic applicationof green chemistry.

    An informal network should be established

    during the summer of 2010 with the intentof formalizing the resource Hub by the endof the year. As a way to help the Hub suc-ceed over time, it needs a home. A program,department or institute at an Oregon univer-sity could house it. Ideally, the Hub will befully resourced and functioning by mid-2013.

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    22/26

    COnCLUIOn

    Green chemistry is a tool that has the potential to improve almostevery single product and process in our material economy. Currently,many green products involve unintended trade-offs in their environ-mental footprints. Reducing the net environmental footprint requires aholistic lifecycle approach. This involves addressing challenges relatedto what our products are made out of, how they are manufactured,and what happens to them when their useful life is over. Throughgreen chemistry, we have the means to address some of these chal-lenges with solutions that result in safer products that are better forpeople, the planet, and protability.

    The recommendations included in this document are consideredpriorities by the OGCAG. They reect a synthesis of efforts currentlybeing undertaken by other states and incorporate the unique re-sources and advantages that exist in Oregon. When implemented, theywill put Oregon in a leadership position among states in the U.S., butwe have a limited window of opportunity to capitalize on it. Oregon isalready recognized as a leader in clean technology and green buildingand Oregonians enjoy a wonderful legacy of caring for the natural andbuilt environment. Green chemistry can support these kinds of indus-tries and help them create a more holistic approach to improving theirenvironmental performance and overall sustainability.

    The OGCAG is already making progress to implement these recom-mendationsbut we need your help. Collaboration is a cornerstoneto our success. We need diverse expertise and additional resources tostrengthen our growing partnerships. Join us in supporting a healthy,protable future for all Oregonians.

    22

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    23/26

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    24/26

    APPnI B

    Mark Brady, Business Oregon

    Jim Evans, Coastwide Laboratories, a ivision of Staples

    John Frazier, ike, Inc.

    Julie Haack, niversity of Oregon

    Jim Hutchison, niversity of Oregon

    David Livengood, Oregon epartment of Environmental Quality

    Charlie Martin, Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership

    Colin Price, Oregon Environmental Council

    Jason Smith, Blount International, Inc.

    Grant Watkinson, formerly with Coastwide Laboratories, a ivision of Staples

    Elizabeth Whalen, Portland State niversity, formerly with Columbia Forest Products

    Oregon Green Chemistry Advisory Group Members

    24

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    25/26

    25

    1. Anastas, P. T. & Warner, J. C. (1998). Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice. Oxford Science PublicationFor a list of the 12 principles, please see Appendix A.

    2. This included publications on state efforts in California, Michigan and Maine, and publications by theHarvard-Yale-American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institutes Green Chemistry Project, the GreeChemistry and Commerce Council, the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University ofMassachusetts Lowell and the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable, among others.

    3. Anastas, P. T. & Warner, J. C. (1998). Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice. Oxford Science Publications

    4. Green Chemistry Science Advisory Panel. (2008). Green Chemistry Options for the State of California.Department of Toxic Substances Control, California EPA.

    nnOt

  • 8/6/2019 Advancing Green Chemistry in Oregon

    26/26