[5] He has published scores of articles as well as fifteen books,[6] including his seminal work with co-author John Warner,[7] Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice.

Their 12 Principles of Green Chemistry are the basis for high school, college and graduate programs around the world[8] and have significantly altered the landscape of the chemicals industry in the United States and other countries.

[9] Anastas began his career as a staff chemist at the EPA, where he coined the term "Green Chemistry"[10] and launched the field's first research program.

He went on to co-found the Green Chemistry Institute in 1997[11] at the American Chemical Society and served in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy from 1999 to 2004, where he concluded service as Assistant Director for the Environment.

In his role as Assistant Administrator, he worked to engage scientists, engineers, and stakeholders across EPA, the federal government, and the scientific community to unify around the common goal of sustainability.