Our Green Chemistry program has helped contribute many products comprised of as many natural cosmetic raw materials as possible. Green chemistry is defined as the design of chemical products and processes that cut down on the use of potent substances. It’s applicable throughout the life cycle of a chemical product which includes the design, manufacturing, usage, and how it’s disposed. It also is referred to as “sustainable chemistry”. These kinds of initiatives are conscious of the well-being of our environment, with one of the end goals being to curb the spread of pollution at the molecular level.
Here at Phoenix Chemical, we use green chemistry for natural cosmetics that emphasize the importance of sustainability and mitigating your carbon footprint. Let’s break down the importance of green chemistry and how it benefits consumers who are actively using these products.
How Green Chemistry Works To Reduce Pollution
Green chemistry differs greatly from the conventional methods of cleaning up pollution. The process involves reducing pollution at its core by eradicating hazardous substances like solvents, reagents, and feedstocks. Regular pollution clean up involves treating the waste systems or by cleaning up environmental spills. Pollution clean up or remediation does not involve green chemistry.
Remediation will extract dangerous substances from the environment, while green chemistry seeks to keep the harmful substances from entering the environment to begin with! You can read more about the impact of green chemistry based on the findings from the EPA.
The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry
These principles accurately depict the core concepts of green chemistry for natural cosmetics:
- Preventing Waste: Designing chemical syntheses to ensure that no waste is present.
- Atom Economy: Intended to utilize the maximum proportion of starting materials without wasting too many atoms.
- Using Less Potent Chemical Syntheses: Syntheses that use and create substances that have very little toxicity for both humans and the environment.
- Safer Chemicals and Products: Designing chemical products that are efficient with little to no toxicity.
- Solvents and Reaction Conditions: Stay away from solvents, separation agents, etc. If you need to use these chemicals, opt for safer alternatives.
- Enhancing Energy Efficiency: When working with chemical reactions, run them at room temperature whenever it’s possible to do so.
- Using Renewable Feedstocks: Starting materials or feedstocks should only be used if they are renewable. The source of these feedstocks will typically come from agricultural products or waste from other types of processes. Depletable feedstocks consist of fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, or petroleum.
- Staying Away From Chemical Derivatives: Try to avoid using blocking or protecting groups. Derivatives use reagents and generate a ton of waste.
- No Stoichiometric Agents, Use Catalysts: Cutting down on waste and using catalytic reactions is a must. Catalysts are efficient in small amounts and are capable of carrying out a single reaction on multiple occasions.
- Design Chemicals and Products That Degrade Upon Use: Design the chemical products to break down the safe substances after they’ve been used, so that they aren’t present in the environment.
- Monitoring In Real Time To Prevent Pollution: Rely on real-time monitoring and control during the process of syntheses to eliminate or reduce byproduct formation.
- Preventing Accidents: Design chemicals in their physical forms to prevent the threat of chemical accidents from occurring, as these can be hazardous for the environment.
Why Going Green Is A Sustainable Philosophy
Green movements go a long way for many industries and causes, especially for organic cosmetic products. Phoenix Chemical strives to use raw cosmetic materials that are both sustainable and resourceful for our clients. The standard for organic and natural cosmetics is heavily dependent on principles of green chemistry.
As a result, many companies have followed suit and have become more transparent with the ingredients that are being used in their products. A particular study from the Organic Monitor found that 90% of UK consumers will avoid synthetic chemicals and value the authenticity of natural and organic beauty products. This uptick in awareness and vocalization from consumers has shed more light on the importance of green chemistry and raw cosmetic materials. Not too many will turn a blind eye to the incentives of organic products as the benefits for your health and wellness are hard to ignore. The market will continue to flourish and it’s possible that these lines of products will be easier to get ahold of in the near future.
Green Chemistry for Natural Cosmetics
For those who are looking for natural products, while striving to be conscious of the future of our environment, then look no further than Phoenix Chemical. We will be happy to assist you in hopes that you learn more about our green chemistry program and how our proprietary cosmetic raw materials can help you create the best natural cosmetics. Contact us today at 908-707-0232 to learn more about our products and services!
