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
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
How to run a sustainable chemistry lab
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
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
A three step strategy to make your research more sustainable
How chemistry data can make your reactions greener
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
CareersA sustainable career in sustainability
How Xampla’s principal scientist Lynette Holland became an industry leader without sacrificing her work-life balance
ResearchDIY recycling protocol could save organoiridium waste from incinerators
‘A very good solution to solve a niche problem’
ResearchCarbon-negative decking could lock up CO2 equivalent to taking 50,000 cars off the road
New material stores more carbon dioxide than is released during its lifecycle and is 18% cheaper
OpinionMaking chemicals safe and sustainable
The green transition is an opportunity to also make industry simpler and safer
BusinessSustainability – from dirty word to industry imperative
Efforts to reduce the environmental impact of chemical processes have shaped the evolution of the entire sector
ResearchMOF-based filter harvests energy from seawater evaporation
Prototype device generates sustained electric current as salt water evaporates