green chemistry

noun

plural green chemistries

: an approach to designing and creating chemical processes and products that are safer for humans and the environment, that minimize waste, and that are energy efficient

The 12 principles of green chemistry outline a framework for identifying a greener chemical or process, spanning aspects in health hazard, ecological risk, and resource efficiency across a product lifecycle.

—Ashley DeVierno Kreuder et al.

Green chemistry refers to the design of chemical products and processes that reduce the use or creation of hazardous materials.

—Jeremy Speer

—sometimes used before another noun

Identification of a safer barnacle-killing agent for use in paints applied to the hulls of large ships brought Rohm and Haas Corp. of Spring House, Pa., its green chemistry award.

—Janet Raloff

Word History

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above