Overview

According to the U.S. EPA, the introduction of green chemistry has resulted in about 140 million pounds of hazardous substances not being produced in the United States each year, saving more than 55 million gallons of process water, preventing 57 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, and preventing formation of 3 billion pounds of hazardous waste per year (Brundtland, 1987; Chemical Week, 2003; C& E News, 2006). McDonough and Braungart (1998) cite two examples that relate to eco-efficiency: 3M's saving over $750 million on pollution-prevention measures and Du Pont's continuous efforts that have led to a 75% reduction in airborne cancer-causing emissions since 1987. Since 1996, Bayer has cut the amount of waste it produces from about 5 kg to 2.3 kg/100 kg of product in 2002, which is more than a 50% reduction. Environmental releases from Bayer's U.S. plants dropped from 12 million pounds in 1996 to 2.2 million pounds in 2000 (EPA, 2001; Fraser, 2001).

Nike has adopted green chemistry techniques in several of its operations. These changes include (1) a technology to generate waste from outsole molds into Regrind for premium-performance outsoles, (2) substitution of water-based solvents in adhesives, primers, degreasers, and mold release agents instead of petroleumbased solvents, and (3) substitution of Nike Air , which contains sulfur hexafluoride (SF ₆), a well-known ozone-depleting chemical, with a harmless gas. It should be noted that 1 g SF ₆ has the global warming potential of 23,900 g CO ₂. Dow...