Researched
Green Chemistry
Anastas and Warner's twelve principles (1998) ask chemists to design products and processes that avoid hazard and waste.
Open in the interactive tree →The idea grew from pollution laws and lessons such as CFCs and pesticides. Atom economy, safer solvents, catalysis and renewable feedstocks now guide pharmaceutical and polymer research, including routes to recyclable plastics.
Prerequisites
- Catalysis1835
- Plastics (Bakelite to Nylon)1907-1953
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)1930
- Silent Spring1962Pesticide damage exposed by Carson was a founding lesson of green chemistry
Unlocks
- Truly Circular Plastic RecyclingopenDesigning recyclable plastics follows green-chemistry principles
- Closed Plastic Cycle2040s?A closed plastic cycle needs green-chemistry design