Prevent Waste
it is better to design chemical processes to prevent waste than to treat waste or clean it up after it is formed
Design safer chemicals and products
design chemical products to be fully effective, yet have little or no toxicity
Design less hazardous chemical synthesis
Methods shoulsd be designed that use and generate substances with little or no toxicity to humans and the environment
Use renewable raw materials
Use starting materials that are derived from renewable resources such as plant material.
Use catalysts, not stoichiometric reagents
Minimise waste by using catalysts in small amounts that can carry out a single reaction many times.
Avoid chemical derivativeswaste
Avoid using blocking or protecting groups or any temporary modifications if possible. derivatives use additional reagents and generate
Maximise atom economy
Design syntheses so that the final product contains the maximum proportion of the starting materials. There should be few, if any waste atoms.
Use safer solvents and reaction conditions
Avoid using toxic solvents to dissolve reactants or extract products.
Increase energy efficiency
Energy requirements should be minimised. Run chemical reactions at room temperature and pressure whenever possible
Design for degradation
Chemical products should be designed to break down to harmless substances after use so that they do not accumulate in the environment
Analyse in real time to prevent pollution
Include continuous monitoring and control during process to minimise or eliminate the formation of by-products
Minimise the potential for accidents
Design chemicals and their forms to minimise the potential for chemical accidents including explosions, fires and releases into the environment.