This mini-review highlights some research results related to the production and application of biogenic and biomorphic materials in catalysis. Such approaches are of interest for the preparation of materials of unusual and well defined morphology, as well as the recovery of valuable resources from waste streams. Areas covered are the application of biogenic iron oxide occurring as a natural waste in the form of iron ochre which can cause issues in water management, the application of biogenic manganese oxide materials formed from manganese rich media (and therefore possibly playing a role in water remediation), the application of bacteria for the preparation of metal nanoparticles of potential relevance to precious metal recovery from waste streams and the application of natural biological materials as templates for biomorphic inorganic materials of controlled and unusual uniform morphology. (c) 2015 Society of Chemical Industry