Green Chemistry and Commerce Council-Retailers Project
The Lowell Center for Sustainable Production facilitates an industry group called the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council (GC3) that supports the use of green chemistry and design for environment practices in the development of sustainable products. The GC3 is working with retailers to encourage a focus on improved product chemicals management with the goal of ensuring that products sold to consumers are safe.
Although this project is focused primarily on one element of the Framework for Sustainable Products—healthy for consumers—widespread implementation of product chemicals evaluation and management systems by retailers is likely to lead to a preference for products that are safer for workers, more environmentally sound, and economically viable.
To respond to growing consumer and media awareness and concern about toxic chemicals in products, a GC3 working group prepared a report that documents case examples of innovative retailers who have or are developing product chemicals management systems. The case examples look at the drivers of product chemicals management systems, the structures of these systems, obstacles encountered, benefits recognized, information flow with consumers, and lessons learned.
By identifying best practices in product chemicals management in the retail industry, the GC3 hopes to encourage other retailers to include product chemicals management as a key element of their sustainability business practices.
For more information, contact Yve Torrie or visit the Green Chemistry and Commerce web site.
