It is so hard to get green chemistry alternatives implemented in labs.
Nobody has the time and only few the combination of technical and theoretical knowledge to be able to evaluate currently used methods critically.
Despite substantial potential for cost savings and reductions of environmental impact by having one's methods up-to-date, only few institutions have somebody assigned to this task.
Everyone is scared about changing an imperfect, but accepted protocol that gives results that are ok.
There are many exceptions to regulations for the use of toxic chemistry for research labs. This makes somehow sense because it is the nature of research to be more advanced thsn legislations, but once baked in this privilege, little move anymore.
Workplace health safety regulations are way stricter than environmental regulations.
There would be great benefit for everyone in coordinated efforts to push for green chemistry, by combining peer-to-peer support, research and strong regulations. The ideas are out there.
But that we as scientists are not capable of doing, is a sign that our societal organization and its institutions are crap and respond mainly with an increase of senseless bureaucracy is a sign that our civilization will have a very hard time self-regulating to stay within safe planetary boundaries.
(Sorry for the doomer ending, but I am so tired. We should be doing better. Urgently.)
