The Greener Solutions program is a project based class that partners students with companies, non-profits, and/or government agencies interested in promoting the adoption of more sustainable chemistry. Every year we recruit teams of graduate students and advanced undergraduates to work closely with our partner organizations on interdisciplinary projects that leverage students’ knowledge in a real-world context.
The goal of these interdisciplinary projects is to understand and characterize the opportunities for the adoption of safer chemicals and materials within the partner organizations. While many of the solutions that our students describe will take many more years of research to develop, others may be built on existing solutions in other sectors. The resulting “opportunity map” creates a guide for the partner organization and UC Berkeley researchers to continue the problem-solving after the end of the initial semester-long project. Many of the projects started in the Greener Solutions program have grown into larger initiatives at Berkeley or within our partner organizations.
The Greener Solutions program has been supported by the California Department of Toxic Substance Control, a Pollution Prevention Grant from Region 9 of the US Environmental Protection Agency, and contributions from our partner organizations.
Apply to be involved
Download Student Application GS 2018 Student Application
Download Partner Organization Application GS 2018 Host Application
Our projects have included:
Identifying new biomimetic strategies for cotton finishing with Levi’s (2013).
Designing next generation chemical preservatives for personal care and home care products (2014).
Developing a safe low-temperature laundry detergent for oily clothes with Method (2015)
Designing non-toxic mosquito repellency for polyester clothing with Patagonia (2016)
Identifying methods to increase the performance of mushroom-based leather with MycoWorks (2017).
Safer Sunscreens Nature’s Approach to UV Protection with Method (2018)
Partner Organizations
HP
Levi Straus and Company
Autodesk
Patagonia
Steelcase
General Coatings
Mango Materials
Beautycounter
Seventh Generation
Method
CA Department of Toxic Substances Control
WL Gore
MycoWorks