WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2023
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently revealed the winners of the 2023 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for new and innovative green chemistry technologies.
According to the agency, this year’s winners have developed solutions to significant environmental challenges such as climate change and spurred innovation and economic development.
“All of us benefit from advances in green chemistry as part of prevention pollution in communities, especially where residents continue to suffer from disproportionate levels of pollution,” said EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Deputy Assistant Administrator Jennie Romer.
“Green chemistry can play a vital role in protecting human health and the environment by increasing efficiency, avoiding hazardous chemicals and preventing waste while improving the competitiveness of American companies.”
An independent panel of technical experts convened by the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute formally judged the 2023 submissions and made recommendations to the EPA. The winners were recognized at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 23.
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The 2023 Green Chemistry Challenge Award winners are:
The agency adds that, since its inception, the EPA and ACS have received more than 1,800 nominations and presented awards to 139 technologies that decrease hazardous chemicals and resources, reduce costs and protect public health.
Additionally, winning technologies have reportedly reduced the use or generation of nearly one billion pounds of hazardous chemicals, saved over 20 billion gallons of water and eliminated nearly eight billion pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents released to the air.
2024 Challenge Nominations
The EPA is also currently accepting nominations for the 2024 Green Chemistry Challenge Awards, from companies or institutions that have developed a new green chemistry process or product that helps protect human health and the environment. Nominations are due Friday, Dec. 8, 2023.
“Green Chemistry continues to be a leading and innovative field that demonstrates how cutting-edge technologies can be used to prevent pollution at its source,” said Romer.
“New this year, an award category was added to recognize technology that promotes circularity through green chemistry and design of greener chemicals and materials which can be readily recycled or reused.
“We are excited to recognize innovation in avoiding plastics added to landfills after just one use, considering how challenging and costly they are to reuse or recycle.”
An independent panel of technical experts convened by the ACS Green Chemistry Institute will formally judge the 2024 nominations and make recommendations to the EPA for the 2024 winners. The EPA anticipates giving awards to outstanding green chemistry technologies in six categories in fall 2024.
Tagged categories: American Chemical Society; Awards and honors; Environmental Controls; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); EPA; Good Technical Practice; Green chemistry; Green Chemistry Awards; Program/Project Management; Research and development; Technology