BIO - Robert Peoples, PhD

Robert Peoples, Ph.D. Robert Peoples, Ph.D., is Director of the ACS Green Chemistry Institute® .  In this capacity, he drives the implementation of the principles of green chemistry across the global chemical enterprise. Dr. Peoples has been a member of American Chemical Society (ACS) for 35 years, giving him valuable experience and insight into the chemical industry.  Immediately prior to becoming Director of the ACS Green Chemistry Institute®, he served as Sustainability Director for the Carpet & Rug Institute, Executive Director of The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), and President of the Environmental Impact Group. Preceding this position, Bob was Director of Carpet Sustainability and Market  Development at Solutia, Inc., where he was actively involved in carpet recycling and negotiations that led to the formation of CARE and carpet-related health and indoor air quality issues. While there, he helped found the Board of Directors of CARE. Bob was a member of the team that developed Monsanto’s patented, revolutionary stain blocker and fluorochemistry for the carpet industry.  Following this development, he led the technical team for the commercialization of Flectron®, a new business for Monsanto in St. Louis where he spent three years in Advanced Performance Materials.  In 1992, he was appointed head of Carpet New Products in Pensacola, FL, and held several positions of increasing responsibility including Director of Nylon Technology. In these various roles, Bob served to integrate a wide variety of initiatives that deal with sustainability on a national level.  His efforts spanned new business development, new product and technology development, technology licensing, and the creation and implementation of a unified national sustainable carpet standard.  In 2003, Bob was the first recipient of the Carpet America Recovery Effort “Person of the Year” award. He is an internationally recognized speaker in the areas of sustainability, standards, innovation, and carpet reclamation. Dr. Peoples holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and chemistry from Montclair State University in New Jersey and a Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry from Purdue University.  He serves on several local and national boards including the Carpet America Recovery Effort, Georgia Pollution Prevention Advisory Board, and Green Standard.org.  He is a member of several organizations including the National Recycling Coalition, Society of Plastics Engineers, and the American Chemical Society.

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