Green Chemistry
Prevent Waste
Principle - Prevent Waste
Designing chemical synthesizes to prevent waste. Therefore, no waste is left to treat or clean up.
Endeavours to do so include:
-Reducing the amount of any hazardous substance or contaminant being released into the environment prior to recycling, treatment, or disposal.
-Reduces the hazards to public health and the environment associated with the release of such substances, pollutants, or contaminants
Application in a chemical industry
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It works by reducing hormones that cause inflammation and pain in the body. As such, it has come to be one of the most popular pain killers in the world. It has been modified by Green Chemistry in order to make it more environmentally friendly as well as being made more efficiently.
Modifications saw an incidence in 1993, where chemical processing of Ibuprofen was reinvented to reduce waste. The ability to prevent this waste was achieved by chemists adding catalysts to the reaction, rather than excess reactants that end up as waste. The catalysts is then able to be recycled, reused and reduce costs associated with it's production.
Further, Chemists have decreased stages within manufacturing and eliminating solvents such as Carbon Tetrachloride from the process, which are toxic to the environment.
This is improving the environment by preventing waste created by the previous manufacturing process of Ibuprofen.
Principle #1 Preventing Waste
Benefits
The benefits are far reaching leading to a better future for the current generation and subsequent generations. These benefits include:
-Preventing toxic substances from entering and being detrimental to our environment
-In most cases costs are reduced with the manufacturing and distribution of chemical products
-Creates a healthier environment for the future generations by preventing waste
-Reduces the need to recycle, dispose or treat toxic materials
Bibliography
http://www2.epa.gov/green-chemistry/basics-green-chemistry
Accessed: 12/11/2014
Published: 4/7/13
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_chemistry
Accessed: 12/11/2014
Published: 9/10/14
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibuprofen
Accessed: 12/11/2014
Published: 1/11/2014
http://www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/41/p2/ibuprofencasestudy.pdf
Accessed: 12/11/2014
Published: 3/5/2014