Collections
Sustainability
In this collection we explore sustainable solutions for addressing global challenges, covering interdisciplinary approaches to sustainability, including renewable energy sources, green chemistry, reducing waste and emissions, circular economy principles, and solutions for a low carbon and net zero future.
Sustainable labs
The Royal Society of Chemistry’s Sustainable laboratories report uncovers what chemists are already doing to reduce the environmental footprint of their research, while at the same time continuing to deliver the ground-breaking discoveries and innovation that make the world a better place. This report shares the barriers and trade-offs they face in making sustainability-related changes, and the many opportunities for collaboration and other positive action.
The Royal Society of Chemistry also curated a special collection of research from its journals that showcases some of the innovative approaches to reduce the environmental impact of research, from solvent selection guides to machine learning approaches and more.
The labs pointing to a greener future for Africa
Tackling climate is not just a job for scientists in more developed countries. Munyaradzi Makoni talks to researchers in Kenya and South Africa to find out more
The RSC’s climate challenge
The Royal Society of Chemistry aims to use Cop26 as a springboard to a more sustainable future. Rachel Brazil reports
Sustainable lab buildings
After a decade of grassroots growth, the laboratory sustainability movement is bursting into the mainstream finds James Mitchell Crow
It's even cheaper being green
Reducing the environmental impact of your lab can save money as well as water and fuel. Phillip Broadwith reports
Making strides in sustainable laboratories: Examples of recent initiatives
Innovating for the future of sustainable labs
Chemists want help to cut the environmental footprint of their labs
Setting the standard for calculating indirect emissions
Labs’ carbon footprint under scrutiny as tool calculates impact of buildings and scientists
Majority of top chemicals on market deemed environmentally unsustainable by new metric
Green chemistry
Opinion
Science needs to get its house in order when it comes to energy use and waste
Labs have an outsized environmental footprint but solutions are within reach
Research
Redox reactions ‘mine’ old fluorescent light bulbs for europium
In just three simple steps rare earth element can be recovered, avoiding ‘ecologically devastating’ mining
News
Biomass, plastic waste and carbon dioxide feedstocks key to cutting chemical industry’s emissions
Royal Society report warns that without intervention defossilisation of the chemicals sector will take many decades
News
Chemists funded to cut the environmental footprint of their labs
The Royal Society of Chemistry to support 33 projects in 11 countries aiming to make chemistry research greener
Sponsored
Setting new standards for British laboratories
Lab Innovations brings together experts from all corners of the industry
A formula to calculate carbon
World’s leading chemical companies spearhead initiative to decarbonise supply chains
Lab Innovations 2023 lays the path for smart and sustainable labs
The UK’s only trade fair for the whole lab industry forges the way to sustainability and innovation
ResearchSunlight-powered device harvests lithium from salty water
Low-energy device is a ‘step forward’ for sustainable lithium mining
ResearchHow F1 plans to transition to ‘100% sustainable fuel’
Rule changes intend to make Formula One more environmentally friendly from 2026. But what are the changes, and can a sport known for gas-guzzling engines really go green?
FeatureSeaweed success
Scientists and entrepreneurs are sowing the seeds for a new kind of industry. Hayley Bennett explores the buzz around the marine ‘biorefinery’ business – and what might hold it back
BusinessElectrification of process heat stands to slash industry’s emissions
Technologies available now can decarbonise most heat demand, but cost and infrastructure barriers still exist
NewsCarbon capture gets personalised touch to match best tech with right location
Holistic analysis combines models and experiments to find the sorbent that works for each industrial site
ResearchElectrocatalyst-in-a-box recycles nitrogen species to produce ammonia from wastewater
Electrochemical catalytic system can handle real wastewater
OpinionScience needs to get its house in order when it comes to energy use and waste
Labs have an outsized environmental footprint but solutions are within reach
ResearchMechanochemistry adds fluorine to discarded polystyrene
Proof-of-concept trifluoromethylation study attempts post-consumer plastic waste challenge
NewsHow can your lab cut water use in reflux reactions?
Practical advice builds on a new study comparing air-cooled condensers
ResearchGlycolysis method breaks down mixed textiles for recycling
A new strategy chemically recycles the most common fibres found in fashion waste, including polyester, cotton and nylon
ResearchPlastic recycling studies need reliable polymer data. This database is ready to inform them
Database set to support recycling research by detailing the chemical composition and physical properties of 59 polymers from common commercial vendors
Research‘Lasagna-like’ layered structure could triple productivity of water splitting
Cobalt–tungsten catalyst provides a commercially viable alternative to scarce metals like iridium
ResearchRedox reactions ‘mine’ old fluorescent light bulbs for europium
In just three simple steps rare earth element can be recovered, avoiding ‘ecologically devastating’ mining
ResearchStudy questions sustainability benefits of replacing palladium with nickel in cross-coupling reactions
Common belief that Earth-abundant metals are green replacements for palladium may be misleading
ResearchRecycled construction waste could cut cement and steel’s carbon footprint
Cement can be regenerated during steel recycling in an electric arc furnace
CareersHow Rainbow Lo is accelerating innovation
Impatient for change, she joined Paris-based sustainable ‘deep tech’ agency Hello Tomorrow
ResearchCold plasma converts biogas into long-chain hydrocarbon feedstocks
Waste gases from landfills could be turned into valuable chemical feedstocks
BusinessBASF’s electric cracker demonstrator goes online
Collaboration with Sabic and Linde will test two different furnace designs
NewsChemists funded to cut the environmental footprint of their labs
The Royal Society of Chemistry to support 33 projects in 11 countries aiming to make chemistry research greener
ResearchMetal swarf transformed into electrodes for hydrogen production
Nanotextured surface of titanium and nickel waste supports platinum and cobalt atoms to create effective electrocatalysts
WebinarThe pivotal role of chemistry in India’s sustainable development
Learn how chemistry is playing an important role in shaping the future of sustainable development in India
ResearchSelf-dyeing vegan leather made by genetically engineered bacteria
Material can be shaped into shoes and wallets, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional leather
ResearchAnalysis of three French chemistry labs shows how they could halve their carbon footprint by 2030
Open-source tool helps researchers evaluate a series of carbon mitigation strategies