Region 2

On September 27, 2007, EPA Region 2 hosted a workshop entitled "Seize the Moment: Opportunities for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering in the Pharmaceutical Industry" to discuss opportunities to encourage environmental stewardship (e.g., green chemistry and green engineering) in the pharmaceutical industry. The intensive one-day workshop educated and offered a dialogue on how to promote green chemistry and green engineering practices to achieve more sustainable outcomes. Participants from EPA, FDA, industry, and universities:

• Examined the nature and magnitude of the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry's environmental footprint. Discussed opportunities and barriers to improvement throughout the manufacturing process.
• Explored ideas on how to better promote green chemistry and green engineering in manufacturing processes within the pharmaceutical industry.
• Presented the values embodied in green chemistry and green engineering principles and overall thinking and how these values can be integrated into the pharmaceutical industry.
• Demonstrated some exemplary industry-based practices of green chemistry and green engineering.
• Showcased exemplary technical approaches, options, tools to improve chemical design and process efficiency.

For Additional Information

• View Agenda and Presentations | Agenda (PDF) (2 pp, 23K, About PDF)
• Workshop Summary (PDF) (33pp, 192KB, About PDF)
• Contact Walter Schoepf (schoepf.walter@epa.gov), EPA Region 2 Pollution Prevention Team, (212) 637-3729

Resources

Green Chemistry
EPA’s Green Chemistry Program promotes the research, development, and implementation of innovative chemical technologies that accomplish pollution prevention in a scientifically sound and cost effective manner. The program works with many partners to promote pollution prevention through green chemistry. Partnering organizations represent academia, industry, other government agencies, scientific societies, trade organizations, national laboratories, and research centers.

Green Engineering
Green Engineering is the design, commercialization, and use of processes and products, which are feasible and economical while minimizing 1) generation of pollution at the source and 2) risk to human health and the environment. The goal of the Green Engineering Program is to incorporate risk related concepts into chemical processes and products designed by academia and industry.

Green Suppliers Network
The Green Suppliers Network is a collaborative venture among industry, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). The Green Suppliers Network works with all levels of the manufacturing supply chain to improve processes and minimize waste generation.

National Environmental Performance Track
The National Environmental Performance Track is a voluntary partnership program that recognizes and rewards private and public facilities that demonstrate strong environmental performance beyond current requirements. Member companies set performance goals that go beyond current regulations and continuously inform EPA of their progress.

National Partnership for Environmental Priorities
The goal of the program is to encourage, through recognition, networking, and case example distribution, the minimization of hazardous and industrial wastes, particularly those waste streams containing one or more of the 31 priority chemicals. This voluntary program is one way industry and business can participate in the increasing attention to waste minimization and its contribution to a sustainable future.

WasteWise
WasteWise is a voluntary EPA program through which organizations eliminate costly municipal solid waste and select industrial wastes, benefiting their bottom line and the environment. Program members set their own waste reduction goals and design plans that best suit the needs of their businesses. EPA offers technical assistance and public recognition for company waste reduction efforts.

Environmental Stewardship
EPA promotes environmental stewardship—within businesses, communities, non-governmental organizations, and with partners throughout government and to individuals.