Environment, chemistry atom economy

One of the major themes in the Brundtland Report was a concept now known in green chemistry as atom economy (also sometimes known as atom utilization), the notion that chemical manufacturing should attempt to conserve as much of the raw materials (and, hence, atoms) with which it begins as possible and to prevent losing materials (and, hence, atoms) to the environment during manufacturing processes. 

Green chemistry consists of chemicals and chemical processes designed to reduce or eliminate impacts on the environment. The use and production of these chemicals may involve reduced waste products, non-toxic chemicals, and improved efficiency. Industrial chemists evaluate chemical pathways and their economic and environmental costs by calculating the relative efficiency of the chemical reactions involved. Percentage yield provides a means of comparison of the theoretical and actual quantity of product, and used to be the main way of evaluating reaction efficiency. However, calculation of atom economy has become a more important means... 

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