The Biden administration’s sustainable chemistry strategy was supposed to nudge the U.S. chemical industry toward safer, greener alternatives, but without clear benchmarks or regulatory teeth, it risks being little more than a well-meaning memo.
In short:
- On Dec. 19, the Biden White House released a long-awaited federal strategy for sustainable chemistry, outlining broad objectives but failing to establish concrete objectives or incentives to drive industry-wide change.
- The plan emphasizes research and development but does not adequately address the financial and regulatory barriers preventing new green chemicals from replacing entrenched, polluting alternatives.
- Without clear criteria for defining and funding safer chemicals, the federal government risks propping up existing toxic processes under the guise of sustainability.
Key quote:
“We must continue to work together to develop and advance bold goals for sustainable chemistry.”
— Joel Tickner, professor of public health at U-Mass Lowell
Why this matters:
The plan highlights research and development as key drivers of change, but history suggests that without financial incentives or strong regulations, industry players will stick with what’s profitable — even if that means clinging to toxic, fossil-fuel-based processes.
Read more:
What it will take for the EU to be a model for safe chemicals.
