GREEN CHEMISTRY DEMYSTIFIED

WISE formulas are based on the relatively new discipline of green chemistry, defined below and here. WISE first introduced a line of biodegradable green chemistry lubricants that outperform and conserve petroleum, then followed with cleaners, solvents, biopesticides and bioremediation products based on a breakthrough, green "colloidal" chemistry.

Definition: Also known as sustainable chemistry or design chemistry, green chemistry is "the design of new products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances,” says Paul Anastas, one of the field's pioneers.

Or, as a recent report from a California state advisory panel nicely put it:

The science of green chemistry addresses pollution prevention at the molecular level.

Related Articles & Regulatory Watch (links to learn more)

Why It Matters: These environmentally-friendly chemicals and processes result in reduced waste, eliminate costly "end-of-pipe" treatments, and much more, improving the competitiveness of manufacturers, retailers, and their customers.

Some of the advantages of this approach includes:

• Safer, more responsible to use
• No dyes or fragrances to mask
• Pollution prevention – eliminates toxins, no harmful VOCs
• No contamination or spill problems, no residue
• Easier cleanup, decreased liability and regulatory hassle

Overall, the goal is to assure safety before products go to market. In Europe, there are already laws in place, such as REACH, that require advance registration and assurance of safety, but in the US, such safety comes from following the precautionary principle and volunteer efforts for testing and registration.

Another design principle, resource efficiency, calls for products that require less energy to make, use, store and recycle. WISE colloidal products have the added advantage of being highly concentrated and effective. Concentrated formulas weigh less and take up less space (less packaging), thus they use less energy for transportation, further reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

For retailers and users, less storage space and a smaller shelf footprint also makes handling and storage easier.

Further Reading: Review these twelve principles of Green Chemistry, summarized from the work of Paul Anastas and John Warner:

Download Printable Version (PDF)* | Back

* PDFs require Adobe Acrobat Reader, available for free from Adobe: