The Sustainable and Green Chemistry Committee (SGC) hosted a roundtable discussion focused on the newest EPA restrictions on dichloromethane (DCM) use, which were issued in April 2024 under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Eric Derrah (Lab and Research Safety Manager in DEHS) presented findings from a DCM monitoring study and provided guidance on safe DCM handling practices in laboratory settings. The presentation and other talks from students covered essential topics, including how to comply with the new Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP) requirements for laboratory exemptions, proper safety protocols for continued DCM use when necessary, and strategies for identifying and implementing alternative solvents to reduce or eliminate DCM dependency. This timely discussion helped our chemistry department personnel understand the regulatory changes and practical steps for maintaining both research capabilities and worker safety.

The 2024 sustainability event was built on last year’s success, once again bringing interactive activities to the Chemistry and CEMS departments to promote environmental awareness. Popular favorites like alginate pod demos (with apple juice), waste statistics, and green chemistry trivia booths returned, drawing strong participation. A key new feature was the spotlight on green labs certification programs, which encourage individuals and labs to adopt more sustainable practices. Our goal was to get people to sign their lab up for the initial assessment and start moving toward full certification. The event highlighted the committee’s ongoing push to make green practices a regular part of lab life and gave researchers practical tools to start making changes.

The conference brought together staff, faculty, students, and community partners from across the region who are working to advance sustainability and inclusivity on higher education campuses. Attendees participated in keynote presentations, interactive workshops, art installations, and poster sessions that explored collaborative approaches to creating a culture of sustainability within higher education and the broader Upper Midwest community. The Sustainable and Green Chemistry Committee (SGC) participated in the conference's poster session and attended various talks and sessions throughout the event, contributing to the regional dialogue on campus sustainability initiatives and connecting with other practitioners working toward environmental goals in higher education.

At Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative, researchers and community members had discussions focused on green chemistry principles and sustainable alternatives to conventional materials, highlighting practical solutions for environmental challenges. The Sustainable and Green Chemistry Committee (SGC) participated in this innovative gathering, which used the unconventional brewery venue to make green chemistry concepts accessible to diverse audiences and foster community engagement around environmental sustainability.

Professor Philip G. Jessop, Canada Research Chair in Green Chemistry at Queen's University and a leading expert in sustainable chemistry research, recently visited the University of Minnesota's sustainable and green chemistry committee to discuss the current state of the field. As a distinguished researcher and former Chair of the Editorial Board for the Green Chemistry journal, Jessop shared insights on how green chemistry continues to evolve in response to environmental challenges, including discussions on life cycle analysis (LCA) and its critical role in evaluating the true environmental impact of chemical processes and materials from cradle to grave. His presentation provided valuable perspective on emerging trends and opportunities in sustainable chemistry, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive environmental assessment tools in guiding greener innovation. The visit underscored the University of Minnesota's commitment to advancing green chemistry education and research through engagement with leading experts in the field.

The Sustainable and Green Chemistry Committee organized an annual event designed to foster a growing and passionate culture regarding sustainability and green chemistry within the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Materials Science (CEMS) departments. The 2023 event adopted a "Did You Know?" theme, featuring interactive stations that engaged participants with surprising statistics about waste generation by individual researchers and laboratories over the past year. Activities included challenging attendees to identify ACS Green Chemistry Institute icons and match them with their corresponding green chemistry principles, general green chemistry trivia competitions, and hands-on demonstrations with alginate pods as sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.

Professor Jane Wissinger accepts a certificate for the Department of Chemistry in recognition of being a founding signer of Beyond Benign's Green Chemistry Commitment (2013-2023) and preparing scientists and citizens to address sustainability challenges through chemistry. Pictured are Dr. John Warner (one of the founding father's of green chemistry) and Dr. Amy Cannon (co-founder of Beyond Benign). The event was held at the Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference in Long Beach, California