Sustainability: Waste minimization, green chemistry and inherently safer processing

Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines sustainable as "maintain, or cause to continue, in existence or a certain state." The word "sustainable" is now used to define a world that is able to "maintain in existence" all life that now exists. To attain that goal, human activities will need to change. Waste Minimization, Green Chemistry and Inherently Safer Processes all seek to manufacture chemicals in an environmentally sustainable way by reducing waste generation, minimizing the impact of chemicals and chemical processes on the environment and the public, and minimizing any hazards to the workers. In this paper, we discuss the synergies among these concepts. The three disciplines must better coordinate their efforts to capitalize on the total teachings, develop and retrofit manufacturing processes using the best technologies, and ensure the highest return projects. In the end, the ultimate chemical process will produce a non-toxic, recyclable or easily biodegradable product that meets society's needs produces no waste, is inherently safer, and uses renewable feed materials.