Summary

O Green Chemistry provides a technical solution

to many environmental problems
O Effective due to design stage efforts, starting
at the molecular level lets you design out the
hazardous properties and design in
environmentally appropriate features.
O A systematic approach can ensure effective
application.

CONCLUSIONS
Green chemistry Not a solution to all
environmental problems But the most
fundamental approach to preventing
pollution.

Who knows? Green chemistry may be the
next social movement that will set aside all
the worlds differences and allow for the
creation of an environmentally commendable
civilization.

RECENT TRENDS IN GREEN CHEMISTRY

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is one of the most recognizable forms of plastic
packaging. Common applications are:
Bottles for water, soft drinks; jars for mayonnaise and mustard; berry boxes with lids;
and trays for
microwaveable foods. PET is also used for the blister packaging of expensive
electronic components.
Economical
Only 14 grams of PET is needed to deliver litre of water, making the material extremely
economical to use.
Additionally, the lightness of PET means lower transportation costs than alternative materials to get
the product to
store shelves. Choosing PET affords businesses the ability to keep costs low for consumers.
Recycling
PET bottles are very recyclable and highly recycled in Canada. The demand for PET bottles
exceeds current supply.
Certain methods of collection of used PET bottles enable them to be recycled back into bottles.
Most PET is recycled
into high-value textiles used for fleece sweatshirts, non-allergenic fillings for pillows and sleeping
bags. It takes 25, 2-
litre PET soft drink bottles to make one fleece sweatshirt.

coloured with azo dyes known to break down into carcinogenic chemicals.
Despite Australian officials recognising the risks, importers are able to import such
clothing. Not all azo dyes are a problem but many are known to create a risk after
prolonged direct contact. Europe has banned such imports and the US has
restrictions in place, prompting fears Australia could become a dumping ground for
hazardous clothing.

Polycarbonates can be prepared by transesterifying diphenyl carbonate with
bisphenol A, and phenol is a co-product. Phosgene is avoided as a result. These
polycarbonates may be recycled by reversing the process: transesterifying the
polycarbonate with phenol to yield diphenyl carbonate and bisphenol A.

Life Cycle Thinking is a different approach to becoming
mindful of how everyday life has an impact on the
environment. This approach evaluates how both consuming
products and engaging in activities impacts the
environment but it not only evaluates them at one single
step, but takes a holistic picture of an entire product or
activity system. This means when talking about a product
and taking a Life Cycle Thinking approach, what is actually
being evaluated is the impact of the activity of consuming
that product. This is because by consuming a product, a
series of associated activities are required to make it
happen. For example, the raw material extraction, material
processing, transportation, distribution, consumption,
reuse/recycling, and disposal must all be considered when
evaluating the environmental impact. This is called the life
cycle of a product. The overall idea of making a holistic
evaluation of a systems impact can be defined as Life Cycle
Thinking