Overview

The Department of Chemistry at University College London (UCL) worked with Radleys to implement an automated acetone recycling programme in its undergraduate teaching laboratories. Following technical discussions around solvent volumes, waste streams and sustainability targets, Radleys recommended the Hei-Volume Distimatic Pro Workstation 24/7 as the most suitable solution.

The project has significantly reduced solvent waste, carbon emissions and acetone purchasing, while embedding sustainable laboratory practice into teaching. The work has recently been published in RSC Sustainability.

The challenge

UCL Chemistry teaching laboratories use large volumes of acetone for washing, cleaning and routine chemistry practicals. Traditionally, this solvent was disposed of as non-halogenated waste and sent for incineration, contributing to high Scope 3 emissions and ongoing purchasing costs.

UCL wanted to:

  • Reduce acetone waste and disposal volumes
  • Lower the environmental impact of solvent use
  • Introduce a robust recycling solution suitable for a busy teaching environment
Hei-Volume Distimatic Pro set up at UCL

The solution

UCL Chemistry approached Radleys to discuss options for solvent recycling at scale within a teaching laboratory. Radleys worked closely with the UCL team to understand solvent throughput, contamination risks and space constraints, before recommending the Heidolph Distimatic Pro Workstation 24/7.

Radleys supported the project from initial consultation through to installation, helping to ensure the system was integrated smoothly into existing laboratory workflows.

The Distimatic enables automated distillation of acetone waste collected directly from washing-up sinks. Operating at controlled temperature and pressure, the system delivers consistent recovery of high-quality acetone with minimal user intervention. Recovered solvent is periodically analysed by NMR to confirm suitability for reuse.

Distimatic Pro Benchtop

Results

Over a three-month evaluation period, the Distimatic delivered measurable benefits:

  • 212.5 litres of acetone recycled and reused
  • 54 percent reduction in non-halogenated solvent waste
  • 36 percent reduction in virgin acetone purchasing
  • £510 cost saving over three months, with projected annual savings of approximately £2,000
  • Estimated carbon emissions reduction of around 66 percent for acetone use

Life cycle analysis showed that recycling 1 kg of acetone using the Distimatic generates approximately 0.06 kg CO₂, compared with over 5 kg CO₂ for the manufacture, transport and incineration of 1 kg of virgin acetone. Even when accounting for the energy required to run the recycler, solvent recovery delivered a substantial net reduction in emissions.

Supporting sustainable chemistry education

Recycled acetone is clearly labelled and reused for washing and selected undergraduate laboratory reactions, helping to reinforce green chemistry principles and circular resource use within teaching laboratories.

The success of the project has also enabled UCL to explore recycling of other high-volume solvents, with Radleys continuing to provide technical support and advice.

Conclusion

By working in partnership with Radleys, UCL Chemistry has implemented a practical and scalable solvent recycling solution using the Hei-Volume Distimatic Pro Workstation 24/7.

This case study highlights how a consultative approach to laboratory equipment selection can help academic laboratories reduce waste, cut carbon emissions and support long-term sustainability goals without disrupting day-to-day operations.

Read the paper here: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2026/SU/D5SU00926J