Question

Describe the basic goals of green chemistry. [Section 18.7]

Short answer

The basic goals of green chemistry include prevention of waste, resource conservation, energy efficiency, reduction of hazardous chemicals, safety and health, biodegradability, sustainable agriculture, and education and awareness. These goals aim to minimize environmental and health impacts while promoting sustainable and efficient practices in chemistry.

Step-by-step solution

1. Introduction to Green Chemistry

Green chemistry, also known as sustainable chemistry, is an approach to designing products and processes that reduce or eliminate the production of hazardous substances. It aims to promote the design, commercialization, and use of products and processes that are environmentally friendly, economically viable, and socially responsible.

2. The Basic Goals of Green Chemistry

The following lists some of the basic goals of green chemistry: a. Prevention of waste: One of the core goals of green chemistry is to prevent waste. By designing processes that generate less waste or no waste by-products in the first place, this goal aims to reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal and treatment. b. Resource conservation: Green chemistry seeks to conserve natural resources by using resources more efficiently, developing renewable feedstocks, and minimizing the consumption of non-renewable resources. c. Energy efficiency: Green chemistry promotes the creation of energy-efficient processes and products, which in turn help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the depletion of fossil fuels. d. Reduction of hazardous chemicals: Reducing the use of hazardous substances in the design of products and processes is another critical goal of green chemistry. This includes the development of safer alternatives to harmful chemicals and the elimination of hazardous substances from manufacturing processes. e. Safety and health: Green chemistry aims to protect human health and the environment by minimizing the potential for accidental releases of hazardous substances, improving worker safety, and reducing overall toxicity. f. Biodegradability: Designing products that are biodegradable ensures that they won't persist in the environment and cause harm. Green chemistry seeks to create products that can break down naturally once they have served their purpose. g. Sustainable agriculture: Green chemistry promotes sustainable agricultural practices, including the use of environmentally friendly pesticides, safe and efficient fertilizers, and waste reduction in agricultural processes. h. Education and awareness: Lastly, one of the goals of green chemistry is to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable chemistry and promote the integration of green chemistry principles into the educational curriculum. In summary, the primary goals of green chemistry are to minimize waste and the use of hazardous substances, conserve resources, ensure safety and health, design biodegradable products, promote sustainable agriculture, and raise awareness about the importance of sustainable chemistry.