Joining Beyond Benign’s Green Chemistry Commitment

As the first public four-year institution in Washington to join Beyond Benign’s Green Chemistry Commitment, the Department of Physical Sciences in the School of STEM is dedicated to advancing health and sustainability at the University of Washington Bothell. The GCC has a growing network of 250 higher ed institutions from 35 countries.

The Green Chemistry Commitment gives us the opportunity to review our curriculum through the lens of the 12 principles of green chemistry. This process ensures that current practices align with the leading principles of green chemistry, helps guide future initiatives, and outlines progressive goals toward a greener department — and a healthier planet.

Students in the lab working with beakers of orange, red and green solutions.
Hands-on learning in action where students experiment with colorful chemical solutions, exploring the science behind reactions in the lab.
Students in the lab working with beakers of orange, red and green solutions.
Personalized learning at its best as Dr. Charity Lovitt works one-on-one with students to help deepen understanding and build knowledge.

Associate Teaching Professor Charity Lovitt shared how joining the green chemistry commitment will help provide opportunities to connect with community partners and collaborate with others working in sustainability. “This reflects our current campus commitment to sustainable practices and connects us with other institutions with similar goals,” Lovitt highlighted.

“We already offer electives that reflect a green chemistry commitment, like Air Chemistry and Aqueous Environmental Chemistry,” said Lovitt. “Many of our labs were redesigned to produce minimal waste or waste that is non-toxic to the environment.”

The Green Chemistry Commitment provides a framework to ensure these efforts are consistent and embedded throughout our curriculum. This is not a one-time pledge — it’s an ongoing sustainability journey. Faculty and students will continue working toward a greener, more sustainable department because integrating green chemistry into higher education is critical. There’s an urgent need to train chemists who can help build a sustainable future, and by joining BeyondBenign’s global network, we’re proud to be part of the solution. Together, we’re supporting the GCC 25×25 goal: ensuring that 25% of U.S. chemistry graduates have green chemistry training by 2025.

Discover our programs and faculty in the Department of Physical Sciences and see how you can join us in creating a more sustainable future. View our Green Chemistry Commitment profile.