{"title":"Raw material criticality assessments as decision-making support for corporate circular economy strategies – A systematic review","authors":"Natalie Otterbach , Magnus Fröhling","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108299","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108299","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The European economy and its low-carbon transition relies on raw material deposits of few countries. Companies can enhance Europe's resilience and gain a strategic advantage by systematically mapping and actively managing their company-specific raw material risks. For example, they can proactively align their Circular Economy, supply chain or investment strategies accordingly. This study creates a foundation for scientists to enable companies to realise the synergies of corporate raw material criticality assessments. A literature review is combined with semi-structured interviews with industry experts. Results show that company-specific data is the main opportunity for customisation, uncovering company-specific risks and progress, but are rarely included. Less than 5 % of the investigated environmental, social and supply risk indicators are company specific. Furthermore, varying assessment levels impede linking of risk evaluation and mitigation. Only two methodologies considered Circular Economy strategies beyond recycling. Overall, the variance in reporting and information depth poses a major challenge for application. A methodology profile is developed for prospective methodologies as means to provide an standardised overview and underscore their distinctive features. The profile and our raw material risk management cycle facilitate companies’ application and scientists’ further development. Prospective research avenues concern the linking of assessment levels, systematic coupling of risk mitigation measures, risks associated with secondary materials, risks in the downstream value chain and new opportunities arising from the digital transformation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"219 ","pages":"Article 108299"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143844672","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":"Detailed waste flows and circularity rates reveal the limits of the circularity gap concept","authors":"Alessio Miatto , Heinz Schandl , Naho Yamashita , Tomer Fishman","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108319","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108319","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In recent discussions on circular economy metrics, the concepts of circularity rate and circularity gap have gained prominence. Countries have reached different levels of circularity, shaped by differences in their economic structures, yet still leaving a substantial gap. This article examines the limitations of the circularity gap concept, drawing on a counterfactual thought experiment that uses Japan, a leader in the 3Rs initiative, The Netherlands, a model of best practices, and Australia, which just developed its circular economy strategy. We discover that the three countries exhibit distinct levels of current and attainable circularity. However, when circularity is alternatively measured against each country's responsibility for primary material extraction, the three countries are strikingly similar. This outcome highlights the need to reevaluate the circularity gap concept, advocating for a narrative grounded in scientific evidence and reflecting what is realistically achievable for economies with diverse roles within global supply chains.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"219 ","pages":"Article 108319"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143844739","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}
Xiangcheng Zhu , Nana Chen , Weiwei Li , Junqi Tang , Yuanfa Huang , Haoyu Qian , Ganghua Li , Yanfeng Ding , Kees Jan van Groenigen , Yu Jiang
{"title":"Quantifying the global methane mitigation potential of deep nitrogen placement in rice paddies","authors":"Xiangcheng Zhu , Nana Chen , Weiwei Li , Junqi Tang , Yuanfa Huang , Haoyu Qian , Ganghua Li , Yanfeng Ding , Kees Jan van Groenigen , Yu Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108315","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108315","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rice paddies are major sources of methane (CH₄), a potent greenhouse gas, with emissions influenced by soil nitrogen (N) availability. Deep nitrogen placement (DN) is emerging as a promising strategy to improve rice yields, N use efficiency, while also impacting CH₄ emissions. However, the variability in DN's effects on CH₄ emissions complicates the extrapolation of experimental results to broader geographical regions. This study, combining meta-analysis and experiments, identifies N application rate as a key factor in DN's impact on CH₄ emissions. DN is more effective at CH₄ emission mitigation with higher N application rates, mainly through reducing organic matter decomposition and suppressing soil <em>mcrA</em> gene abundance. We estimate that DN could lower CH₄ emissions from global rice paddies by 14.6 %. These findings underscore the potential of DN to mitigate CH₄ emissions on a global scale while enhancing rice yields and N efficiency, particularly in regions with high N application rates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"219 ","pages":"Article 108315"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143844673","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}
Min Liu, Wei Liu, Mingyue Zhang, Xin Pan, Qian Zhang, Mingxue Zhang, Tengyun Ma, Zhaojie Cui
{"title":"Analysis of the potential resource, environmental and economic impacts of EU battery and waste battery regulations on China's lithium-ion battery industry","authors":"Min Liu, Wei Liu, Mingyue Zhang, Xin Pan, Qian Zhang, Mingxue Zhang, Tengyun Ma, Zhaojie Cui","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108314","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108314","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Meeting the EU's recycled content (RC) targets and carbon footprint (CF) thresholds poses a significant challenge for China, yet limited research has addressed this issue. This study quantifies the impacts of these requirements on China's lithium-ion battery (LIB) industry from resource, environmental, and economic perspectives. Under the Export-Oriented Priority Allocation strategy, China can meet the RC targets effectively. Due to varying levels of grid decarbonization, the ranking of LIB CFs across different countries is: EU < US < South Korea < Japan < China, putting China at high risk of EU market exclusion. By signing Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) worth $78.0 million, China could align its LIB CFs with those of South Korea and Japan. If China's official electricity CF were recognized by the EU, this cost would decrease to $50.5 million. China must accelerate mutual recognition of electricity CFs or explore direct green power supply to mitigate export risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"219 ","pages":"Article 108314"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143834340","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":"Thermochemical recycling of end-of-life photovoltaic laminates using pyrolysis: Interaction mechanisms and fluorine migration and transformation","authors":"Yuanzhong Zhang , Jing Gu , Benteng Wu , Jianwei Wang , Haoran Yuan","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108312","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108312","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pyrolysis is an effective method for recycling significant amounts of end-of-life photovoltaic laminates by removing organic components such as ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and fluorinated backsheet (TPT). This study systematically studied the interaction mechanisms of EVA and TPT during co-pyrolysis, focusing on fluorine migration and transformation. Compared with the individual pyrolysis, co-pyrolysis exhibited an inhibitory effect, evidenced by the increased activation energy and reduced comprehensive pyrolysis index. Product evolution analysis revealed that TPT defluorination primarily occurred in the form of HF, with complete defluorination achieved under optimized conditions. During co-pyrolysis, EVA deacetylation reduced the defluorination temperature by 90 °C and increased HF yields by 32.3 % compared with TPT pyrolysis alone. Furthermore, TPT pyrolysis at 500 °C only produced phenyl-fluorinated compounds, while co-pyrolysis reduced their proportions to 58.8 %, leaving linear structures. These findings provide valuable insights into developing efficient and environmentally friendly strategies for thermochemical recycling and pollutant management of photovoltaic laminates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"219 ","pages":"Article 108312"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143828817","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":"Unveiling latent topics in the interplay of Circular Economy and Energy Transition: A Topic Modelling approach","authors":"Patrizio Giganti , Pasquale Marcello Falcone","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108318","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108318","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Circular Economy (CE) and Energy Transition (ET) are crucial solutions for addressing global environmental challenges caused by linear economic models and fossil-based energy systems. Both approaches focus on enhancing energy and resource efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. This Topic Modelling-based review identifies latent topics within the CE and ET academic literature, tackling the challenge of subjectivity found in traditional reviews. Using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), six topics are identified. Each topic sheds light on how crucial elements – such as economic and social sustainability, technological innovation, material management and electrification, waste management, local development, and regulatory policies – are interconnected with CE and ET. Together, these elements contribute to a more cohesive and effective transition. The study emphasizes the need for coordinated strategies and targeted policies to ensure that CE and ET not only coexist but also complement and strengthen each other. This holistic approach is vital for fostering a sustainable future that balances economic growth with environmental conservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"219 ","pages":"Article 108318"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143828816","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}
Jiangbei Liang , Sha Liang , Mingyang Li , Zhaoyang Li , Guang Hu , Huabo Duan , Jiakuan Yang , R.Vasant Kumar
{"title":"A closed-loop ammonium acetate leaching-electrodeposition route for metallic lead recovery from spent lead paste","authors":"Jiangbei Liang , Sha Liang , Mingyang Li , Zhaoyang Li , Guang Hu , Huabo Duan , Jiakuan Yang , R.Vasant Kumar","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108313","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108313","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The hydrometallurgical electrodeposition process has become a hot research field for metallic lead recovery from spent lead paste due to its energy-efficient and eco-friendly features. However, traditional electrodeposition process is usually carried out under strong acid or alkaline systems, accompanied by the side reaction of lead dioxide. This study proposed a closed-loop ammonium acetate leaching-electrodeposition route for metallic lead recovery from spent lead paste. The spent lead paste was firstly leached by a neutral leaching solution of NH<sub>4</sub>Ac, HAc and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>. After filtration, the leaching solution was electrodeposited to produce metallic lead. Anion exchange membrane was introduced to avoid anodic lead dioxide generation in the electrodeposition process. Under the optimal conditions, the cathode current efficiency and energy consumption were 91.62 % and 625 kWh/t Pb, respectively. The NH<sub>4</sub>Ac leachant was regenerated from the eletrolyte by removing soluble SO<sub>4</sub><sup>2-</sup> with addition of Ba(Ac)<sub>2</sub> to generate BaSO<sub>4</sub> by-product. The regenerated NH<sub>4</sub>Ac leachant was then reused in the next-round leaching process, thus realizing a closed-loop process. In five leachant recirculation processes, the leaching ratio, electrodeposition ratio and total recovery ratio of lead remained relatively stable, within the ranges of 95.7–97.3 wt %, 98.6–99.6 wt % and 94.4–96.4 wt %, respectively. By upgrading of the metallic Pb product, the purity could finally reach 99.998 %. This study proposes an environmentally and economically friendly process for lead recovery from spent lead paste and other lead-containing wastes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"219 ","pages":"Article 108313"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143828815","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":"The water use of data center workloads: A review and assessment of key determinants","authors":"Nuoa Lei , Jun Lu , Arman Shehabi , Eric Masanet","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108310","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108310","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The global importance of data center water use is increasing with the rapid growth of digitalization and artificial intelligence. This study analyzes the factors influencing workload-level water use, measured in liters consumed per workload, to guide water-saving strategies in data centers. Our findings reveal workload-level water use variations exceeding 10,000-fold, driven by over 1000-fold differences in water consumption per kilowatt hour of server electricity consumed and approximately 10-fold differences in server workload efficiency. Key determinants are ranked as server efficiency, electrical grid water consumption factors, server utilization, cooling system type, infrastructure efficiency, climate zone, inactive server percentage, and server refresh cycle. Notably, there is no single recipe for minimizing water use; instead, optimal outcomes depend on tailored combinations of these factors. This analysis addresses critical knowledge gaps by identifying the determinants of data center water use and exploring their achievable minima under diverse site-specific constraints.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"219 ","pages":"Article 108310"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143826319","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}
Trang Thi Thu Nguyen , Jack B. Hetherington , Patrick J. O'Connor , Lenka Malek
{"title":"Sustainable food consumption: Sustainability-conscious consumers do not reduce food waste but nutrition-conscious consumers do","authors":"Trang Thi Thu Nguyen , Jack B. Hetherington , Patrick J. O'Connor , Lenka Malek","doi":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108296","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108296","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Consumer food choices are pivotal in shaping a sustainable food system. While research has extensively explored sustainable purchasing behaviours (e.g., choosing organic or local foods), less attention has been given to how these choices translate into consumption patterns and food waste. This study addresses this gap by examining the interplay between two key food choice drivers—nutrition and sustainability—and their impact on food waste reduction. Using survey data from 1030 participants and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling, the study tests two hypotheses: (1) whether nutrition-conscious consumers generate less food waste and (2) whether sustainability-conscious consumers do the same. Results show that nutrition-conscious consumers waste less food, partly due to better planning and shopping behaviours, while sustainability consciousness does not significantly reduce food waste. These findings highlight the need for integrated interventions that align sustainability goals with healthy eating habits to drive more effective food waste reduction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21153,"journal":{"name":"Resources Conservation and Recycling","volume":"219 ","pages":"Article 108296"},"PeriodicalIF":11.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143826316","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}