Beyond the E-Factor

Abstract

The first green chemistry metrics - the E-Factor and Atom Economy (AE) - were introduced in the early 1990s. However, such mass-based metrics needed to be augmented by metrics that measure the environmental impact of waste, originally referred to as the Environmental Quotient, EQ. Various metrics for assessing the sustainability of chemicals such as life cycle assessment (LCA) and for assessing economic viability are discussed. The development of a sustainable bio-based production of chemicals meshes fits well with the concept of a circular economy, based on resource efficiency and waste minimization by design, to replace traditional linear, take−make−use−dispose economies.