By Ken Zarker, Washington State Department of Ecology
Washington State was pleased to host the 2012 Green Chemistry Roundtable at the Suquamish Clearwater Hotel on October 23-25.
The event kicked-off with two green chemistry workshops conducted in partnership with the ACS Green Chemistry Institute® (ACS GCI). Dr. Richard T. Williams, founder and president of Environmental Science & Green Chemistry Consulting, conducted the Introductory Green Chemistry 101 short course that helped the attendees understand the concepts of green chemistry. The afternoon session featured, Dr. Marty Mulvihill, Director of the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry at the University of California. Marty’s presentation provided attendees with a more in depth look at business case studies, metrics and tools for green chemistry. The Roundtable plans to host the Advanced Course in 2013.
The second day of the conference offered a regional assessment and opportunities to solve the toxic threats facing the Puget Sound and the Columbia River basin. Regional leaders from businesses, government and nongovernmental organization outlined strategies to address emerging contaminants, how toxics are impacting people and the environment, regional green chemistry initiatives and the latest in the development of Washington’s Toxics Reduction Strategy.
The event concluded with the Green Chemistry Business Roundtable: Supply Chain Perspectives on Challenges and Opportunities. Ken Zarker of the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) kicked off the welcome with a presentation on the opportunities to advance regional collaboration to help advance business innovation and economic development through green chemistry.
Rich Williams provided a presentation on the business value for green chemistry and potential regional models for industry collaboration based on other initiatives around the U.S.
A fascinating case study panel followed with two excellent presentations on supply chain perspectives related to green chemistry. Joe David of Point 32 and Tom Schneider of Building Envelope Innovations provided insights into product reformulation efforts as part of the Living Building Challenge to meet the requirement for the new Bullitt Center in Seattle. Mickey Blake of Mt. Baker Bio, provided an inspiring presentation from the view of the entrepreneur working to advance green chemistry.
Richard Williams followed with a presentation on strategic approaches to greener manufacturing. His presentation provided insights to the use of tools and techniques that businesses are using to promote product innovation.
The afternoon session featured breakout sessions based on the following topics:
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