Green Chemistry

What is Green Chemistry?

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) defines green chemistry as “chemicals and chemicals processes designed to reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts”. MUSC promotes reduction of waste products, pollution prevention, reuse and recycling of chemicals, proper chemical disposal, and choosing less hazardous chemicals to human health and the environment. Choosing green chemical alternatives can save money while reducing environmental and human health impacts. Access the 12 Principles to Green Chemistry for more information about environmental sustainability and safe chemical use.

12 Principles to Green Chemistry

An easy way to choose a green chemical alternative is to access the Green Chemical Alternative Purchasing Wizard. Please follow the wizard instructions and access the Help Guide for further guidance.

Green Chemical Alternative Purchasing Wizard                                  Green Chemical Alternative Purchasing Wizard Help Guide

The wizard is managed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology Environmental Health and Safety.
Click here for further information about the MIT Green Chemical Alternative Purchasing Wizard.

Green Chemistry and Sustainability Resources

Database for Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)
Begin your search for products and services that reduce environmental impact.

US EPA Green Chemistry 

MUSC Sustainability and Recycling

Green and Clean in the Clinical SettinG

We support green alternatives to chemicals and ingredients for cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting that may be potentially harmful. Using green alternatives in the clinical setting can protect patients, workers, and visitors. If possible, choose green alternatives to a cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting products to support a safer hospital and minimize exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. In addition to the EPA and MIT resources above, please review the Joint Commission EC News article. It discusses how hospitals can protect patients and workers by using earth-friendly and sustainable products/practices.

Green and Clean: How hospitals can protect patients and workers by using earth-friendly and sustainable products/practices (The Joint Commission, January 2013)