This report was written by the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council to support its GC3 members who are facing increasing policy, marketplace, and investor demands for more circular materials and products. Green chemistry (GC) and the circular economy (CE) are aligned in their shared goal to shift towards an economy that uses resources efficiently and safely, thereby reducing waste and protecting human health and the environment by rethinking how to design chemicals, materials, products, and processes.  

This report serves as a blueprint to understand how GC and CE can work together and optimise each other. The report focuses on the innovations needed to realise different opportunities and is designed to kick-start an on-going dialogue in terms of how to align the circularity, safety, and sustainability of chemicals, materials, and products, while minimising potential trade-offs. 

Whilst the benefits of a circular economy have been well documented, strategies to keep products in use for longer that have the potential to minimize waste and resource use, often come with unintended consequences regarding the recirculation of toxic materials. 

Designing and manufacturing products to be recycled can currently only go so far when, in the vision of a circular economy where materials flow perpetually in closed loop systems, hazardous substances also circulate. As chemicals of concern are reprocessed multiple times for use in materials, there is the potential to amplify the potential for exposure, along with 'leakages' through manufacturing, use, and reuse. 

Unless proper attention is given to replacing toxins with benign alternatives, ChemSec state that the circular economy will never work. Ellen MacArthur Foundation supports this by noting that products need to be designed to be safe from the start, for the benefit of human and environmental systems, since the chemistry cannot be changed once its out in the world. Safe circularity throughout the various phases of a product’s life can be enabled by green chemistry.

The role of green chemistry in the circular economy has been defined as “the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances throughout the life cycle of products.”

The 12 principles of green chemistry provide an essential toolbox for sustainable chemical design and synthesis, which prevents pollution at a molecular level. Green chemistry can play an essential role in optimizing materials and products for a safe and sustainable circular economy in two particular areas; i) designing and selecting safer, less toxic chemicals and chemical processes and ii) use of renewable feedstocks. 

To understand the enabling role of green chemistry in furthering the aims of circularity and driving innovation, GC3 member needs were identified through a survey and a review, along with input from CE and GC experts and analysis of existing circular economy design practices. Secondary research was also carried out to understand the gaps, challenges, and barriers at the intersection of chemistry and circularity.

From the assessment, the Green Chemistry & Commerce Council (GC3), identified where key green chemistry innovation opportunities exist to enhance the circular economy.

The report serves as a flexible framework to support the transition towards a safe and sustainable circular economy by aiding companies, designers and governments in their decision-making process with regards to chemicals, material development, selection and product design.

The blueprint presents eight categories of opportunities that can enable circular economy loops. Each opportunity is described regarding the connection with and relevance to the circular economy. Questions are provided to help stakeholders identify their individual needs and opportunities, potential approaches and best practices along the product value chain to co-optimize green chemistry and circularity goals. 

Engagement with the framework can identify opportunities for innovation since users are able to map and assess current research, development and sourcing activities.

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