Green Chemistry
The environmental impact of a lab extends beyond CO₂ emissions, encompassing the release of toxic gases, chemicals through ventilation, waste incineration, and drainage systems.
While labs traditionally rely on hazardous chemicals, more scientists and manufacturers are adopting safer, less toxic alternatives and implementing protocols to reduce hazardous waste. Here are some ways to minimize environmental impact:
- Always seek less toxic alternatives in reagents and equipment.
- Use shared chemical databases to reduce unnecessary purchases.
- Explore the 12 principles of Green Chemistry and apply them where possible.
- Learn more about Hazardous Waste.
- Remove any mercury thermometers in your lab, and dispose of them properly through Environmental Health and Safety. You can use LabCup to mark items for disposal. You can find more information on that here.
- For duplicate chemicals, use the one with the closest expiration date first.
- Buy only the quantity of chemicals you need to avoid excess waste.
- Avoid halogenated reagents, which harm the ozone and contaminate water supplies.
- Replace ethidium bromide with safer alternatives—it's a mutagen with potential health risks.
- Opt for catalytic rather than stoichiometric reagents when feasible.
12 Principles of Green Chemistry
It’s better to prevent waste than to treat or clean it up later. Green Chemistry aims to design processes that minimize the production of waste from the start, rather than finding ways to manage it afterward.
This principle focuses on maximizing the amount of raw materials incorporated into the final product. By designing reactions that use resources efficiently, we reduce waste and make processes more sustainable.
Green Chemistry encourages using safer chemicals that are less harmful to human health and the environment, reducing risks associated with handling and disposal.
Chemicals should be designed to achieve their intended function while minimizing toxicity. This means making substances that are effective yet safer for both users and the environment.
Whenever possible, reduce or eliminate the use of solvents or auxiliary chemicals, as they often contribute to waste and hazards. When needed, choose the least toxic and most sustainable options.
Energy demands have environmental impacts. Processes should be designed to minimize energy consumption, using ambient temperature and pressure when possible to reduce the carbon footprint.
Green Chemistry promotes the use of renewable resources, like plant-based materials, over nonrenewable resources like petroleum, reducing dependence on finite resources.
Minimizing the use of unnecessary modifications, such as temporary derivatives, reduces waste and conserves resources, making processes simpler and more efficient.
Using catalytic reactions, rather than stoichiometric ones, allows for more efficient reactions that require smaller amounts of chemicals, thereby reducing waste and energy use.
Chemicals should be designed to break down into harmless substances after use, preventing long-term environmental accumulation and pollution.
Integrating real-time monitoring during chemical processes helps detect and control pollutants before they are created, minimizing waste and risks.
Choosing safer chemicals and processes reduces the potential for chemical accidents, like explosions, fires, and releases of toxic substances, enhancing lab and workplace safety.