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Design for the Environment

An Effective Practice

Description

The Design for the Environment (DfE) program is one of EPA's premier partnership programs, working with individual industry sectors to compare and improve the performance and human health and environmental risks and costs of existing and alternative products, processes, and practices. DfE partnership projects promote integrating cleaner, cheaper, and smarter solutions into everyday business practices.

EPA also supports using "benign by design" principles in the design, manufacture, and use of chemicals and chemical processes--a concept known as "green chemistry." EPA's Green Chemistry Program promotes the research, development, and implementation of innovative chemical technologies that prevent pollution in both a scientifically sound and cost-effective manner. In addition, EPA's emerging Green Engineering Program strives to help academia introduce a "green" philosophy into undergraduate chemical engineering curricula. The DfE Program works with these and other related programs.

Goal / Mission

The goal of DfE is to facilitate the identification, adoption and innovation of clean products, processes, technologies, and management systems.

Results / Accomplishments

DfE has current partnerships with automotive refinishers, furniture flame-retardant users, nail salons, electronics manufacturers, and laundry facilities, among others. DfE helps these partners to identify best practices and changes they can make, leading to environmental and health benefits for all.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
US Environmental Protection Agency
Primary Contact
Clive Davies
Design for the Environment (DfE)
Office of Pollution Prevention & Toxics
US EPA
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Mail Code 7406-M
Washington, DC 20460
202-564-3821
davies.clive@epa.gov
http://www.epa.gov/dfe/
Topics
Environmental Health / Toxins & Contaminants
Environmental Health / Air
Organization(s)
US Environmental Protection Agency
Date of publication
2006
Location
USA
Additional Audience
Industry
Miami-Dade Matters