{"title":"Addressing the ‘last mile’ deficiency: A bi-objective model for e-waste reverse logistics network design","authors":"Zhiqin Ni , Hing Kai Chan , Zhen Tan","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108713","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108713","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although China’s official e-waste recycling rate has been higher than the global average over the past decade, the certified reverse logistics network, primarily composed of licensed disassemblers, faces fierce competition from uncertified channels due to limited community access to the certified network. This paper develops a robust bi-objective mixed-integer linear programming model to help certified network decision-makers establish community collection and treatment centers that address the ‘last mile’ deficiency, aiming to provide accessible services to communities competing with uncertified channels while maintaining economic viability. The robust bi-objective mixed-integer linear programming model considers maximizing the collection rate and the profit of the three-echelon reverse logistics network. A piecewise function is proposed to simulate competition between community collection and treatment centers and uncertified channels based on prior literature. Two realistic uncertainty parameters—the lower boundary of the entire collection and the reuse rate—are incorporated into the model, which deliberately addresses the dynamics of collection and processing complexity. A real-world case is presented to validate the model's effectiveness in supporting location decision-making for community collection and treatment centers. The Gurobi optimizer is used to solve the robust model, and the resulting optimal solutions are presented on the Pareto front. ArcGIS software illustrates the eight selected community collection and treatment centers, which achieved a 61.6 % collection rate and a profit of 0.15 million RMB, as shown on the map. This study presents a reliable and effective model for location decisions for community collection and treatment centers under realistic uncertainties, facilitating licensed disassemblers’ decision-making that balances regulatory and economic objectives.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 108713"},"PeriodicalIF":10.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145683380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jiaqi Liao , Han Cheng , Shibing Cai , Jincheng Lu , Zhezhen Yan , Ning Duan , Fuyuan Xu
{"title":"Data-driven optimization for sustainable copper recovery and electrolyte recycling in hydrometallurgical processes","authors":"Jiaqi Liao , Han Cheng , Shibing Cai , Jincheng Lu , Zhezhen Yan , Ning Duan , Fuyuan Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2026.108782","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2026.108782","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To address challenges in precise copper concentration prediction and optimal electrolyte diversion in copper hydrometallurgy, this study develops a multi-model framework integrating machine learning (ML) prediction, mechanistic constraints, and collaborative optimization. Among 11 algorithms, the Bayesian-optimized extremely randomized trees (ET) model outperforms others in predicting circulating tank effluent copper concentration, achieving an R<sup>2</sup> of 0.839, a MAPE of 1.20%, and 18.68-fold higher accuracy than mechanistic models. SHAP analysis identifies key factors influencing copper concentration. Leveraging ET predictions and mechanistic material conservation, a strategy encompassing dynamic benchmarks, segmented diversion, and closed-loop regulation enables real-time optimization of copper concentration and diversion through two-stage electrowinning, with annual energy savings of 4.72 million kWh. This multi-model methodology provides a replicable paradigm for the intelligent transformation of copper hydrometallurgy, boosting resource conservation and recycling in metallurgy. Its cross-model integration extends to multi-objective optimization in other complex metallurgical processes, offering far-reaching environmental and economic benefits.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 108782"},"PeriodicalIF":10.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"End-of-life portable lithium-ion batteries in Japan: Generation, collection system effectiveness, and unidentified flows","authors":"Masahiro Oguchi , Atsushi Terazono , Kazuo Hasunuma","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108754","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108754","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>End-of-life (EoL) management of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) presents significant environmental and safety challenges. We estimated Japan’s EoL portable LIB generation and assessed the effectiveness of its collection systems. A survey of 33 electrical and electronic equipment categories found that 82 % of them contained LIBs, with many incorporating built-in batteries, leading to disposal in inappropriate waste streams. In 2020, approximately 8160 tonnes of EoL LIBs were generated, with six key categories—smartphones, laptops, tablets, cordless vacuum cleaners, power banks, and motor-assisted bicycles. Although Japan’s official collection schemes cover 77 % of EoL generation, only 14 % is actually collected. Possible paths for the rest 86 % include disposal in municipal solid waste, export with secondhand products, and untracked collections from businesses. Even considering these, however, the destination of nearly 40 % of EoL LIBs remains unknown, highlighting the need to identify remaining flows to enhance collection frameworks that ensure sustainable resource management and safe disposal.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 108754"},"PeriodicalIF":10.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mapping daily 1-km resolution XCO2 in China using deep learning and multi-source data","authors":"Wei Shao , Tianxiang Yue , Lili Zhang , Wenjie Tian , Hao Wang , Haowei Zhou , Chenchen Wu , Liqiang Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108755","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108755","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>High-resolution spatiotemporal column-averaged CO<sub>2</sub> (XCO<sub>2</sub>) data is essential for understanding anthropogenic carbon emissions, but current satellite limitations hinder detailed analysis. To address this, we develop the Spatial-Temporal Attention XCO<sub>2</sub> Network (STAXN) to improve prediction accuracy by capturing spatial-temporal variability and multiscale influences of auxiliary variables. Monte Carlo validation demonstrates robust performance, with an RMSE of 0.90 ppm and an R² of 0.97. Using this model, we generate a 1-km resolution daily XCO<sub>2</sub> dataset for China (2015–2020) and analyze XCO<sub>2</sub> anomaly patterns. Seasonal XCO<sub>2</sub> anomalies peak in summer and winter, with nighttime light exhibiting strong positive effects (β = 0.134, 0.107), and GPP exerting the most substantial adverse influence in winter (β = −0.200). The centroid trajectories of XCO<sub>2</sub> anomalies exhibit consistent seasonal shifts, shaped by regional disparities in carbon efficiency, industrial structure, and emission intensity. These findings offer valuable insights into China’s carbon emission dynamics, informing policy and management strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 108755"},"PeriodicalIF":10.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145813867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
John D. Atkinson , Thomas Elliot , Mitchell P. Jones , Julian Kirchherr , Ana T. Lima , Mugur Schuppler , Dominik Wiedenhofer
{"title":"Circular metrics as instruments for quantifying sustainability","authors":"John D. Atkinson , Thomas Elliot , Mitchell P. Jones , Julian Kirchherr , Ana T. Lima , Mugur Schuppler , Dominik Wiedenhofer","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108684","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108684","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 108684"},"PeriodicalIF":10.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145651127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Huanyu Wang , Qiang Yue , Huimin Chang , Xiang Fu , Wei Ji , Changqing Xu , Heming Wang
{"title":"Toward a standardized and comparable life cycle dataset system for steel production in China","authors":"Huanyu Wang , Qiang Yue , Huimin Chang , Xiang Fu , Wei Ji , Changqing Xu , Heming Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108715","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108715","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The transparency, standardization, and comparability of LCA data remain global challenges for quantifying and reducing the carbon footprint of the steel industry. To address these issues, the transparent and standardized Tiangong Steel Datasets provide development framework for China’s steel sector. The datasets were compiled through a systematic process involving comprehensive literature review, snowball sampling, expert validation, and data extraction. They provide process-level information on energy use, material inputs, and emissions across three major steelmaking routes: BF-BOF, DRI-EAF, and Scrap-EAF. Each dataset includes explicit definitions of system boundary, functional unit, allocation rule, and temporal-spatial coverage, ensuring methodological consistency. Statistical and correlation analyses reveal the relationships between raw material consumption and CO<sub>2</sub> emissions, highlighting key emission drivers and efficiency gaps among production routes. By unifying modeling boundaries and calculation methods, the datasets improve the credibility and international comparability of product carbon footprint, support integration with carbon trading and export compliance, and provide a foundation for China’s low-carbon steel transition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 108715"},"PeriodicalIF":10.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145657893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Longxing Liu , Mengquan Wu , Gang Chen , Yijie Tang , Xiaodong Song , Min Zou , Yandong Xu , Xin Zhang , Shikuan Wang , Jinyi Lv , Longxiao Zheng
{"title":"Satellite observations and deep learning unveil the rapid expansion of offshore wind turbines in China","authors":"Longxing Liu , Mengquan Wu , Gang Chen , Yijie Tang , Xiaodong Song , Min Zou , Yandong Xu , Xin Zhang , Shikuan Wang , Jinyi Lv , Longxiao Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108706","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108706","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>An accurate understanding of the dynamic distribution of offshore wind turbines (OWTs) is essential for effective offshore wind planning and management. However, existing methods often fail to adequately consider or utilize the multidimensional characteristics of OWTs, which limits their accuracy and efficiency. In this study, a knowledge-guided strategy is employed to optimize OWT detection. By analyzing the physical, spatial, and geometric properties of OWTs, we propose a novel knowledge-guided framework that integrates deep learning and satellite imagery to achieve accurate and efficient generation of long-term OWT products. The framework achieved an average F1-score of 99.43 % in multi-temporal tests, overcoming the need for extensive post-processing. We further revealed the spatiotemporal patterns of OWTs in China across multiple perspectives and scales from 2015 to 2023, and explored the influences of policies and meteorological-geographical factors to inform future site selection. These findings provide valuable insights for the sustainable development of offshore wind power.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 108706"},"PeriodicalIF":10.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145658105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zhi Gao , Ruitao You , Kecheng Pan , Qingsheng Huang , Zhenzhen Xu , Long-Shuai Zhang , Jian-Ping Zou
{"title":"Recycling high-level liquid waste into covalent organic framework confined unsymmetrical single Pd-N2 site toward H2O2 photosynthesis","authors":"Zhi Gao , Ruitao You , Kecheng Pan , Qingsheng Huang , Zhenzhen Xu , Long-Shuai Zhang , Jian-Ping Zou","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2026.108783","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2026.108783","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Herein, we show a bioinspired nitrogen-rich covalent organic framework (COF<sub>TGTp</sub>) with high acid stability and excellent radiation resistance in simulated high-level liquid waste (HLLW). It exhibits the intriguing local self-adaptive behavior to precisely recognize Pd<sup>2+</sup> in 3 M HNO<sub>3</sub>, achieving a high adsorption capacity (317.4 mg g<sup>-1</sup>) and >99.98% recovery efficiency. Importantly, even in 17 competing ions, the COF<sub>TGTp</sub> still shows the remarkable Pd<sup>2+</sup> selectivity and outstanding <em>K</em><sub>d</sub> value. EXAFS results disclose that the Pd<sup>2+</sup> confined in COF<sub>TGTp</sub> interlayer displays the unsymmetrical Pd-N<sub>2</sub> single-site pattern. Noticeably, the Pd<sup>2+</sup>-confined COF<sub>TGTp</sub> obtained from HLLW effectively drives O<sub>2</sub>-to-H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> photosynthesis (3002 µmol g<sup>-1</sup> h<sup>-1</sup>). The mechanism studies confirm that the unsymmetrical Pd-N<sub>2</sub> site favors the formation of key *HOOH intermediate. The recovery of Pd from HLLW to make a photocatalyst is proposed for the first time, which may stimulate the research into the design of novel COFs to upcycle metal waste into functional, catalytic materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 108783"},"PeriodicalIF":10.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145925789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wenhui Zhao , Rina Su , Pengyu Zou , Yiming Li , Bo Yang , Bin Zhang
{"title":"Achieving painless energy conservation via equity-oriented efficiency nudge: evidence from electricity consumption in China","authors":"Wenhui Zhao , Rina Su , Pengyu Zou , Yiming Li , Bo Yang , Bin Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108736","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108736","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Demand-side emission reduction is crucial yet often overlooked due to fragmented policies lacking balance between equity and efficiency. This study proposes a data-driven behavioral nudging framework based on the Equitable Electricity Efficiency (EEE) index, which quantifies household saving potential under social and environmental constraints while preserving welfare. EEE is estimated through a multi-method pipeline combining Meta-Frontier Analysis, ANN-DEA, SFA (Battese-Coelli, 1988), and Three-Stage DEA, identifying inefficiencies, distortions, and fairness-adjusted gaps. Analysis of large-scale Chinese household electricity data shows an average EEE of 70 %, implying a recoverable potential of 26.5 %–31.5 %, equal to 72.12 billion kWh and 5.66 million tons of CO₂ annually. Results reveal nonlinear patterns: middle-income, moderately aware households have the highest untapped efficiency; affluent users respond less; disadvantaged groups face structural barriers. Embedding fairness into nudges offers a scalable, interpretable, and inclusive path for equity-aware demand-side management and just energy transition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 108736"},"PeriodicalIF":10.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145732517","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zhengxuan Wu , Elena Werner , Daniel Maga , Venkat Aryan , Manfred Renner
{"title":"Nutritional life cycle assessment of mealworm as a potential sustainable protein-rich food","authors":"Zhengxuan Wu , Elena Werner , Daniel Maga , Venkat Aryan , Manfred Renner","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108759","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108759","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mealworms are a potential alternative protein source, offering the potential to reduce environmental impacts while meeting nutritional demands. The objective of this study was to investigate the environmental impacts of a large-scale mealworm production in Germany as food, incorporating nutritional value into the assessment. To achieve this, a nutritional life cycle assessment (nLCA) was performed considering Nutrition Rich Food index (NRF) with OpenLCA and Environment Footprint 3.1. The findings suggest that mealworms offer environmental advantages over conventional animal-based foods across most assessed impact categories. For instance, when adjusting for nutritional quality with NRF9.3, their climate change impact appears substantially lower than that of animal products, while contributing less to the intake of nutrients to be limited. These results highlight the potential of mealworms as a sustainable alternative to traditional animal-based foods, offering a promising solution to reduce environmental impacts while delivering a balanced and adequate nutrient profile.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"227 ","pages":"Article 108759"},"PeriodicalIF":10.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145813866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}