Every year since 1996, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) program and the American Chemical Society, together with institutes and trade associations, have awarded the prestigious Green Chemistry Challenge Award for implementing green chemistry principles.

On June 10, 2019, the next award ceremony was held. The following people and companies received the prestigious awards:

- Professor Sanjoy Banerjee for using Zn-MnO₂ batteries as a replacement for expensive and more rare lithium or nickel.

- Kalion, Inc. received an award for the first commercialized process for the production of glucaric acid by microbial fermentation. Applications for this low-cost method range from water cleaning to corrosion inhibitors.

- WSI has developed a TRUpath^TM detergent that is biodegradable, phosphate-free and can operate at lower temperatures, which saves energy.

- Merck & Co. for the modernization of the production of the Zerbaxa^TM antibiotic. The use of crystallization purification steps reduced by half the cost of raw materials and increased the yield. Optimization of production significantly saves water and energy resources.

More details about the works can be found at https://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/green-chemistry-challenge-winners