essential₂environment

The business of chemistry is going above and beyond government requirements for environmental protection. Since 1988, our Responsible Care® initiative has led to the reduction of releases to the environment by more than 73 percent, while at the same time production of materials vital to supporting our growing population has increased. As a partial result of the advances of chemistry, the EPA reported that our air, land, and water are cleaner now than they were 30 years ago.

Did You Know

progress

The chemical industry provides regular progress reports on greenhouse gas emissions reduction to government agencies, the media and the general public.

Featured Articles

agriculture

Protecting Fruit with Cyclodextrins

As the saying goes, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Nutritionists strongly recommend eating fruits and vegetables several times daily as part of a healthy diet. Today’s lifestyle, however, calls for more than just an apple. » learn more

agriculture

Protecting Crops with Fungicides

Fungicides are classified by the way they work. Some affect the growth of the fungus; others stop the fungus from producing the energy it needs to live; and still others activate the plant’s defense mechanisms to make it more fungus-resistant. » learn more

clean air

Chemistry's Role in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

How are today’s detergents able to clean effectively without hot water? How can planes and automobiles carry more cargo over greater distances using less fuel? What makes today’s homes and buildings more energy-efficient? What helps make renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind power more effective? In many cases, the answer is chemistry. » learn more

reduce emissions

Retrofitting School Buses

Of the approximately 450,000 school buses on American roads, some 50 percent can be retrofitted with new emission control equipment. The EPA says American children spend three billion hours each year on school buses—and while they are the safest way for children to get to school, exposure to particulates from their diesel engine exhaust needs to be limited for health reasons. » learn more

recycling

Learn to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle More Plastics

According to the EPA, the average American produces approximately 1,600 pounds of trash per year. To encourage consumers to adopt more eco-friendly habits, ACC recently asked Bob Lilienfeld, editor of the Use Less Stuff Report, for some simple how-to steps for waste reduction. » learn more

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