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Is Green Chemistry a feasible tool for the implementation of a circular economy?

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Abstract

The main goal of this research is to evaluate the contributions of Green Chemistry as a potential tool to drive the transition to circularity. For this, we have carried out a bibliographic study, analyzing those documents, process, or experiences that dealt jointly with the Green Chemistry aspects related to circularity such circular economy, industrial ecology, and closed loop. Findings show that few authors have treated that disciplines together in the last 10 years. Based on an analysis of academic literature, common strategies (design, raw materials, life cycle assessment, processes, normative, new business, and collaboration), specific experiences (catalyst, biobased products or methods, recycling, and reusing), and difficulties to overcome (metrics, transdisciplinary research, unawareness, and competitiveness) have been identified. Finally, different kind of measures, as behind such joint metrics, informal open spaces, closer the industry, education, standards and label are proposed to facilitate the development of Green Chemistry, circular economy, industrial ecology, and closed loop with the ultimate goal of improving sustainable development.

From the evidences found, we finally conclude that it is possible to use Green Chemistry and its principles as a tool to drive the transition to circularity, being the development of open spaces for exchange information between different actors from academia, governments and regulatory actors, business and industrial sectors, with the aim of promoting disruptive advances in sustainability.

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Funding

Financial support from the Spanish MINECO (projects CTQ2013-44867-P), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Government of Aragon, Consolidated Group E105 is gratefully acknowledged. GreenLife acknowledges financial support from EEE53 SL: Pinares de Venecia División Energética and Brial (ENATICA) for support. Both business groups are committed to sustainable development through environmental respect.

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  1. Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva de Gállego, 50830, Zaragoza, Spain

    Natalia Loste, Esther Roldán & Beatriz Giner

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  1. Natalia Loste
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Loste, N., Roldán, E. & Giner, B. Is Green Chemistry a feasible tool for the implementation of a circular economy?. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 6215–6227 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-07177-5

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