Sustainability championed at Teesside University conference

Academics, researchers, students and industry partners were brought together by Teesside University for the Sustainable Labs Conference 2025.

Teesside University’s cutting-edge Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre (NZIIC) hosted the conference on September 3, bringing together a range of sustainability professionals and served as a powerful platform for advancing greener practices in laboratory environments.

Organised by Dr Ojodomo Achadu, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry in the University's School of Health & Life Sciences, as part of his Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Sustainable Laboratories Grant project, the conference focused on innovative approaches to sustainability in the chemical sciences.

The NZIIC team, chaired by Dr Ellis Marshall, hosted a full day of engaging talks, demonstrations, and discussions.

The conference aimed to raise awareness and promote knowledge exchange around sustainable lab practices, with a particular emphasis on emerging technologies such as magnetic energy harvesting from ambient noise, circular reuse of lab waste, and the development of sustainable materials.

The programme featured keynote addresses and invited talks from leading voices in sustainability. A live demonstration of a magnetic nanogenerator, developed by Dr Achadu, demonstrated how stray magnetic fields in laboratories can be converted into usable energy.

Additional highlights included Dr Yogesh Kumar’s presentation on circular lab practices, Professor Kumar Patchigolla’s insights into Net Zero engineering, and Dr Craig McBeth’s work on recycling lab plastics and electronics.

Contributions also came from Dr Njemuwa Nwaji of the Polish Academy of Science, student leader Mr Omoyeni Kehinde, and industry representatives from the Prysmian Group.

Student engagement was a key feature of the event, with several student-led presentations and posters showcasing fresh ideas and leadership in sustainability. A panel discussion on Greener Labs and Environmental Practices encouraged lively debate and collaboration across sectors.

Dr Achadu said: "It was inspiring to see such a diverse community of academics, students, industry partners and sustainability professionals come together to share ideas and solutions for greener laboratories.

“The level of engagement, from keynote talks to student-led contributions, highlights the urgent need, and real potential, to transform how we design and operate laboratory environments. This conference marks an important step in advancing innovation and collaboration towards Net Zero in the chemical sciences and beyond. Funding from the Royal Society of Chemistry under the Sustainable Laboratories Grant is gratefully acknowledged in support of the conference and the research project.”

The event highlighted Teesside University’s leadership in sustainability and its commitment to supporting the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Sustainable Laboratories initiative, while opening doors for collaboration between academia and industry.

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