The Green Chemistry Network (GCN) was launched by the Royal Society of Chemistry with initial core funding from the RSC for the first five years (1998 - 2003). The GCN is based within the Department of Chemistry at the University of York and is now a self-funding organisation.

The GCN * document gives information about ways of getting more involved in the Network.

The main aim of the GCN is to promote awareness and facilitate education, training and practice of Green Chemistry in industry, commerce, academia and schools. This will be achieved by:

• Providing links to other organisations and government departments.

• Organising conferences / workshops and training courses.

• Providing educational material for universities & schools.

• Newsletters and books with close links to the Green Chemistry journal

• Providing prizes and awards for companies & university researchers.

• Running specific-themed projects targeting key areas and groups

Green chemistry includes such concepts as waste minimisation, solvent selection, atom utilisation, intensive processing and alternative synthetic routes from sustainable resources. The challenge for chemists is to develop products, processes and services in a sustainable manner to improve quality of life, the natural environment and industry competitiveness.

Green Chemistry issues are here to stay. The most successful chemical companies of the future will be those who exploit its opportunities to their competitive advantage, and the most successful chemists of the future will be those who use Green Chemistry concepts in R & D, innovation and education.

The Green Chemistry Network aims to help these chemical companies and chemists by sharing best practice, promoting green technology transfer and providing data to show that adoption of green practices can also provide cost benefits for industry. In addition, we aim to make it possible for chemists of the future to grow up in an environment where green issues are not taught in isolation but form the underlying principles of all courses.

The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry according to the American Chemical Society and the US Environmental Protection Agency can be found on the ACS web site

For further information contact:

Green Chemistry Network, Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK, tel +44 (0) 1904 434550 (Administration, Dr Helen Coombs), fax +44 (0) 1904 432705, Email greennet@york.ac.uk

Our database of members is continuously being updated. If you would like to join this initiative please register online