The College of Science and Engineering (CSE) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) recently hosted a lecture entitled ‘From Waste to Wealth Using Green Chemistry’.
Guest speaker, James Clark, a professor of chemistry and director of the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence at the University of York, led the lecture, during which he highlighted the benefits of combining "green chemistry" with a circular economic model to achieve a sustainable society.
“Green chemistry” enables chemical reactions to occur with non-hazardous substances using minimal energy and producing zero waste. It can be used to convert waste streams into valuable products including minerals, bio-resources, and pure water. 
During the lecture, Clark placed emphasis on the need for a departure from a linear economic model to a circular economic model where resources are used in short cycles in an efficient and safe manner. 
Dr Mounir Hamdi, dean of CSE, said, “Clark’s insights are in tandem global initiatives that aim to lessen the use of consumables, which lead to devastating consequences for the environment and its resources. Global overconsumption is an unsustainable trend; it poses as a significant burden on the planet, increasing landfills, and polluting our oceans. 
“By combining green chemistry with circular economy models, we are promoting a sustainable future for our planet. Part of that process entails we utilise environmentally friendly mechanisms of producing goods, and safeguarding the limited resources we have.”
CSE regularly hosts lectures and seminars to showcase the expertise of leading local and international researchers, and to promote a greater understanding of topical regional and global issues. The college offers four degrees at the master’s and PhD levels under its Sustainable Development division. In doing so, it seeks to address the needs of today’s generation, and those of the future.
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