WASHINGTON - Today, the E.P.A. (EPA) announced its request for nominations for its 2016 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards for companies or institutions that have developed a process or product that better protects public health and the environment.
"For in excess of 2 decades, we have seen creative innovations making our manufacturing processes and products better and safer," said Jim Jones, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "Our efforts to speed the adoption of revolutionary and diverse disciplines have led to significant environmental benefits, innovation and a strengthened economy."
Since the start of the program, E.P.A. has received in excess of 1,500 nominations and presented awards for 104 new technologies that have reduced in excess of 826 million pounds of hazardous chemicals and solvents, saving
s 21 billion gallons of water, and eliminating 7.8 billion pounds of carbon dioxide releases.
E.P.A. is sponsoring the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards in partnership with the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute
® and members of the chemical community including industry, trade associations, and academic institutions.
Nominations are due to E.P.A. by December 31, 2015.
Next June, E.P.A. expects to give 5 awards for outstanding green chemistry technologies in traditional categories and a 6th award for a green chemistry technology that addresses climate change. The award areas include:
Greener Synthetic Pathways
Greener Reaction Conditions
Greener Chemical Products
The Design of Greener Chemicals
Small Business (for a technology in any of the 3 focus areas developed by a small business)
Academic (for a technology in any of the 3 focus areas developed by an academic researcher)
Specific Environmental Benefit: Climate Change (for a technology in any of the 3 focus areas that reduces greenhouse gas emissions)
More information on past award winners and how to submit entries can be found at:
http://www2.epa.gov/green-chemistry
