The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry, published by Paul Anastas and John Warner in Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice (Oxford University Press: New York, 1998) provide a road map for chemists to implement green chemistry.

Green chemistry technologies provide a number of benefits, including: Reduced waste, eliminating costly end-of-the-pipe treatments, Safer products, Reduced use of energy and resources, Improved competitiveness of chemical manufacturers and their customers.