Chemistry for Tomorrow's World: Sustainable Design Policy Event

'Is Chemistry the Key to Sustainable Living?'
Keynote Speaker - Dr Mike Pitts, Chemistry Innovation Knowledge Transfer Network

23 November, 2010
The Library, The Chemistry Centre, Burlington House

The developed world currently experiences a highly affluent standard of living. However, our current level of raw material consumption is unsustainable. For the whole world to share the same standards of living in the UK, the resources of three planet Earths would be needed. 

In order to ensure that the environmental impact of new products is reduced, consideration of raw materials use and decisions on design need to examine the whole lifecycle of a product. An understanding of the principles of reduction, remanufacture, reuse and recycle (4Rs) should guide the design of new products.  

The chemical sciences will be key in helping to ensure these objectives are fulfilled. This will involve everything from developing new composite materials that are readily recyclable to delivering clear, measurable standards for life-cycle analysis (LCA). 

The RSC has identified Sustainable Product Design as one of the active top-ten challenges for the chemical sciences to tackle in the next 5 - 10 years. This lecture will provide an insight into the role of the chemical sciences in implementing sustainable product design and the policy issues which surround this. 

Dr Mike Pitts is the Manager of Sustainable Technologies Priority for the Chemistry Innovation Knowledge Transfer Network. His work covers areas including life-cycle analysis and communication, alternative feedstocks and low-carbon technologies.

This event is for an invited audience only. For further information, or to apply for an invitation, please contact Mindy Dulai.

Interact and Discuss

Join us for an informed and frank discussion on a topic which is close to many people's hearts. The discussion has already begun on MyRSC, have your say.