Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines sustainable as "maintain, or ca
use to continue, in existence or a certain state." The word "sustainable" i
s now used to define a world that is able to "maintain in existence" all li
fe that now exists. To attain that goal, human activities will need to chan
ge. Waste Minimization, Green Chemistry and Inherently Safer Processes all
seek to manufacture chemicals in an environmentally sustainable way by redu
cing waste generation, minimizing the impact of chemicals and chemical proc
esses on the environment and the public, and minimizing any hazards to the
workers. In this paper, we discuss the synergies among these concepts. The
three disciplines must better coordinate their efforts to capitalize on the
total teachings, develop and retrofit manufacturing processes using the be
st technologies, and ensure the highest return projects. In the end, the ul
timate chemical process will produce a non-toxic, recyclable or easily biod
egradable product that meets society's needs produces no waste, is inherent
ly safer, and uses renewable feed materials.