Policy Options to Support the Use of Green Chemistry

Colin PriceResearch Director

Oregon Environmental Council

June 9, 2010

What is green chemistry and what are the benefits?

Why isn’t it used more?

What can we do about it?

Sustainability

Life Cycle Thinking

Green Chemistry

and Engineering

Cal/EPA, 2008

Green ChemistryUsed to create safer, more efficient chemicals,

materials, products and processes

Eliminated over 1.1 billion lbs

Reduced nearly 400 million lbs

Saved over 21 billion gallons

http://www.allproducts.com

Why isn’t green chemistry used more?

Barriers 1. Technical2. Economic/Financial3. Regulatory4. Organizational5. Cultural6. Measurement/Metrics

Matus, K. J., Anastas, P. T., Clark, W. C. & Itameri-Kinter, K. (2007). Overcoming the Challenges to the Implementation of Green Chemistry. Center for International Development at Harvard University.

What can we do about it?

Policy Options1. R&D Support2. Technical Assistance3. Education and Training4. Market Interventions5. Economic6. Regulatory

Comparison of Policy Options

Ease Cost Timeframe

1. R&D Easy High Short

2. Tech. Assistance Easy Moderate Short

3. Ed & Training Mod. Difficult Moderate Long

4. Market Mod. Difficult Low Short

5. Economic Difficult High Medium

6. Regulatory Mod. Difficult Moderate Medium

Table adapted from Denison, R., Hansen, S. F., Geiser, K., Kyle, A., Massey, R., McPherson, A., Rejeski, D., Rossi, M. & Tickner, J. (2008). Options for State Chemicals Policy Reform: A Resource Guide. Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Comparison of Policy Options

Ease Cost Timeframe

1. R&D Easy High Short

2. Tech. Assistance Easy Moderate Short

3. Ed & Training Mod. Difficult Moderate Long

4. Market Mod. Difficult Low Short

5. Economic Difficult High Medium

6. Regulatory Mod. Difficult Moderate Medium

Table adapted from Denison, R., Hansen, S. F., Geiser, K., Kyle, A., Massey, R., McPherson, A., Rejeski, D., Rossi, M. & Tickner, J. (2008). Options for State Chemicals Policy Reform: A Resource Guide. Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Technical AssistanceHelp firms meet environmental objectives

Examples: Integration into existing P2 programs, industry dialogues

Market InterventionsUsing purchasing power to drive market behavior

Examples: Environmentally preferable procurement, labeling programs

RegulatoryRules that influence the lifecycle of chemicals

Examples: Chemical specific bans, registration and evaluation

Integrated Policy Approach Combination of Policies that Promote Innovation

Consider Impacts and Benefits throughout Life cycle

PNW Green Chemistry Efforts

Oregon Green Chemistry Advisory Group

Washington Green Chemistry Roundtable

“There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of

comfortable inaction.” - John F. Kennedy

ResourcesGrowing the Green Economy Through Green Chemistry and Design for the

Environment: A Resource Guide for States and Higher Education (2009)www.p2.org

Overcoming the Challenges to the Implementation of Green Chemistry (2007)www.hks.harvard.edu

Options for State Chemicals Policy Reform: A Resource Guide (2008) www.sustainableproduction.org

Colin Pricecolinp@oeconline.org