Minimizing use of harmful chemicals

Description

Minimizing use of harmful chemicals involves systematically reducing or eliminating toxic substances in industrial, agricultural, and domestic activities. This strategy prioritizes safer alternatives, improved process controls, and stricter regulations to prevent environmental contamination, protect human health, and preserve biodiversity. Key actions include substituting hazardous chemicals, promoting green chemistry, enhancing waste management, and raising public awareness, thereby directly addressing pollution, occupational hazards, and long-term ecological damage.

Implementation

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

Agenda 21 recommends developing applications to minimize the requirement for unsustainable synthetic chemical input and to maximize the use of environmentally appropriate products, including natural products.