YALE – GREEN CHEMISTRY

The “Global Greenchem Innovation and Network Program (GGINP)” aims to strengthen the sound management of industrial chemicals and their waste through better control, waste reduction and/or elimination and particularly to strengthen green chemistry solutions for persistent organic pollutants (POP chemicals) and mercury replacement through capacity building, innovations and creation of a global green chemistry network that fosters visibility, support and implementation.

The Cleaner Production Centre of Serbia (CČPS) is a national partner in the implementation of the “Global Greenchem Innovation and Network Program (GGINP)” financed by the United Nations GEF (Global Environment Facility) through UNIDO and implemented by Yale University with 6 countries (Peru, Serbia, Ukraine, Uganda, Jordan and Indonesia). This program is supported by the Government of the |Republic of Serbia, through the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

The production of inherently hazardous materials takes place all over the world. Every economic development leads to the exposure to chemicals which are health hazards. The continued use of POP chemicals and mercury are a growing global threat, alongside with micro-plastics, are barriers to the large-scale use of green chemistry alternatives and are a constant source of damage to human health and the environment.

Green chemistry is focused on the development and application of chemicals with inherently benign and beneficial properties at all stages of their life cycle. The purpose is not only to reduce pollution through the elimination of hazards associated with chemicals, reagents, solvents and products, but also sustainability in the product design process. Green chemistry dots almost every business sector – food, energy, plastics, cosmetics, cleaning products, pharmaceuticals, etc. Due to its nature, green chemistry is an essential building block and guiding principle for the development of a circular economy.

The financial, regulatory, organizational and cultural barriers are currently preventing rapid adoption of green chemistry principles and practices. There is an inherent economic risk of switching to a new process, the initial investment, the costs of redesigning the existing infrastructure and the barriers to switching to new solvents and equipment. There is no enough information on the availability of alternative solutions, there is a weak connection between green chemistry innovators and the industry, there is a lack of awareness about the principles of green chemistry, as well as the perception that the costs of introducing green solutions are insurmountable.

Green chemistry entrepreneurs face a number of challenges, including profitability and financial security in the first years of business operations, difficulties in securing instrumentation and laboratory space, as well as obstacles in the regulation of chemicals and chemical processes.

More information can be found at: http://www.globalgreenchem.com

Green chemistry – News