Authors
Camana, Daniela; Toniolo, Sara; Manzardo, Alessandro
Abstract
Green chemistry and life cycle assessment are two methodologies used in environmental studies, both theoretically and practically. The purpose of the present analysis is to assess if and how green chemistry principles might be integrated to life cycle assessment methodology and to local and international industrial policies in order to achieve sustainability goals at territorial level. Firstly, some contributions that life cycle thinking gives to green chemistry, and vice-versa, are proposed, based on existing research. Data are provided using tables to summarise contents and graphs to outline interconnections, also considering the four steps of Life Cycle Assessment, showing some available references of previous studies. Secondly, some possible points of integration between the 12 principles of green chemistry and environmental policies are listed. For each principle of green chemistry, a possible integration with international and local strategies is proposed. A list of references that might be useful to investigate possible patterns of study for territorial and industrial uses, is provided too. Results show that life cycle thinking and green chemistry can be integrated in theoretical and practical case studies, since many interconnections exist. These interconnections permit to use the best characteristics of each method to improve the reliability of the other method and finally, to afford environmental, industrial, and engineering problems with a more comprehensive approach. Moreover, green chemistry principles can be easily associated to main environmental policies at international, national, regional, and local level. This allows to use results, knowledge, and expertise of the green chemistry framework and to apply them to industries, territories, and communities. The similarities highlighted in this analysis need further investigation in future studies since they can help decision making process in sustainability policies.