Kristen Sodam Park , Maciej Zajac , Thomas Matschei , Anya Vollpracht
{"title":"The fate of heavy metals in recycled concrete paste upon enforced carbonation: A review","authors":"Kristen Sodam Park , Maciej Zajac , Thomas Matschei , Anya Vollpracht","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200289","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200289","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Enforced carbonation of recycled concrete paste (RCP) presents a promising solution for carbon capture and utilization (CCU) in the cement and construction industries. By transforming concrete waste into a reactive pozzolan while sequestering CO<sub>2</sub>, enforced carbonation addresses major environmental challenges and aligns with the circular economy concept in the cement and concrete sector. This review contextualizes the impact of enforced carbonation on heavy metals in RCP to ensure sustainable and ecological compatibility of both the process and the final product, carbonated RCP (cRCP). It summarizes current knowledge on heavy metals in cement and proposes hypotheses on their plausible immobilization mechanisms in enforced-carbonated materials. The review highlights gaps in the literature concerning the impact of carbonation on heavy metals in cement, underscoring the necessity of exploring novel approaches for assessing the heavy metal behaviors from RCP to cRCP.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"28 ","pages":"Article 200289"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145097861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yining Huang , Miaomiao Liu , Jianxun Yang , Wen Fang , Zongwei Ma , Jun Bi
{"title":"Measuring public support towards different clean air targets in China","authors":"Yining Huang , Miaomiao Liu , Jianxun Yang , Wen Fang , Zongwei Ma , Jun Bi","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200260","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200260","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Following remarkable achievements in air quality improvement, China has transitioned into a period of relatively low pollution levels, promoting discussions on further upgrading air quality standards. Effective policy-making depends not only on cost-effectiveness but also heavily on the public’s willingness to support such initiatives. Previous studies on willingness-to-pay (WTP) inadequately distinguished between the impacts of objective pollution levels and subjective cognitions, as well as how the cognitive relationships formed by these two factors affect WTP decisions. This study examines public willingness to support two different air quality improvement scenarios and investigates the underlying mechanisms influencing WTP decisions. Utilizing nationwide survey data from 7457 Chinese respondents and employing a two-part regression model, we found the average WTP to reduce PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentrations by 10 % (below 30 µg/m³) and to achieve levels below 5 µg/m³ were 277 and 295 CNY, respectively. Residents demonstrated significantly greater participation willingness and contribute higher amounts when presented with stricter air quality targets (<em>p</em> < 0.05). Subjective cognitions, rather than objective pollution levels, primarily shape WTP through two distinct pathways: external factors (e.g., trust in government) influence initial participation willingness, while internal factors (e.g., perceived risk control) determine payment amounts. Additionally, pessimistic cognitive biases- low acceptance of air quality despite low pollution levels- significantly reduced individuals' likelihood of contributing (<em>p</em> < 0.05). Our findings highlight distinct cognitive mechanisms underlying WTP decisions, suggesting tailored strategies to encourage collective action to further improve air quality and overcome pessimistic biases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 200260"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144124447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Md Faysal Tareq, Sebastiaan Deetman, Arnold Tukker
{"title":"Evaluating the development of macro infrastructural stocks in the Netherlands: Assessing factors driving historical material stocks growth","authors":"Md Faysal Tareq, Sebastiaan Deetman, Arnold Tukker","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200269","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200269","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maintaining a constant macro-infrastructure stock requires significant material resources, which incurs an environmental cost. This study presents a detailed database of material stocks (steel, concrete, and asphalt) for macro-infrastructure (transport, energy, water, and utilities infrastructure) in The Netherlands. Using a bottom-up material stock accounting approach at high (25m² grid) resolution, we analyze the macro-infrastructure distribution across spatial and temporal scales. We examine 39 detailed infrastructure types in highway, railway, oil and gas, water, and utility aggregated infrastructure categories. Since 1950, material stocks have increase over fourteenfold, driven mainly by asphalt use in highways. Urban areas exhibit 3–4 times lower per capita stocks than rural areas, while material density per km² is 4–5 times higher in urban areas. Decomposition analysis reveals strong economic influences on historical stock growth. This research supports the sustainable transition of macro-infrastructure by quantifying existing material stocks, identifying growth factors, anticipate future needs, promoting circularity, and guiding investments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 200269"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144471381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Towards a circular economy: Identifying key driving factors for waste-to-energy across EESG dimensions","authors":"Siraprapa Yosthongngam , Sittichok Plaiphum , Roengchai Tansuchat","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200267","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200267","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Waste-to-energy (WtE) systems are increasingly recognized as a strategic component of the circular economy (CE), offering dual benefits in waste reduction and renewable energy generation. This study investigates the key Environmental, Economic, Social, and Governance (EESG) drivers influencing WtE production across nine EU countries from 2000 to 2020, with particular attention to long-run dynamics, institutional readiness, and structural conditions. Using the Cross-Sectionally Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) model and Dumitrescu-Hurlin panel causality tests, the analysis captures both short- and long-run interdependencies between EESG indicators and circular economy performance, as proxied by total WtE output. The results indicate that recycling efficiency, energy self-sufficiency, recycling innovation, and WtE consumption significantly enhance circular economy performance in the long term. Causal tests confirm bidirectional relationships between circular economy performance and both recycling efficiency and energy self-sufficiency, underscoring mutual reinforcement between front-end recovery and energy resilience. WtE consumption shows a unidirectional effect on circular economy performance, driven by immediate energy needs and waste diversion. Circular economy performance also Granger-causes improvements in recycling innovation and environmental regulation, suggesting that strong circular outcomes may catalyze downstream innovation and policy development. However, environmental regulation itself does not show a significant direct impact on WtE. These findings highlight the need for targeted, system-level policies that balance environmental integrity, energy autonomy, and technological capability to enhance WtE’s contribution to circular economy transitions in the EU.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 200267"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144534315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sustainable waste management of construction materials: Mathematical modelling and analysis","authors":"Mayowa Emmanuel Bamisaye , Babatunde Oluwaseun Ajayi , Issara Sereewatthanawut","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200274","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200274","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The construction industry remains one of the most significant contributors to global energy consumption and CO<sub>2</sub> emission, with construction and demolition waste management emerging as a critical leverage point for environmental improvement. This study employs a hybrid approach that integrates System Dynamics (SD) modelling with Random Forest (RF) algorithm to optimize concrete waste management systems. The analysis encompasses the entire waste processing lifecycle—including demolition, sorting, transportation, recycling, and landfilling—with specific focus on material recovery, landfill use, energy consumption, and CO<sub>2eq</sub> emissions. Findings revealed that transportation and demolition account for the majority of energy use and emissions. However, strategic interventions such as expanding recycling infrastructure, transitioning to natural gas and electric trucks, and optimizing truck load capacity can reduce energy consumption and emissions by 20–30 %. Additionally, the adoption of demolition robots further decreases energy use by 18 % and emissions by 47 %. By enhancing material processing efficiency and increasing the use of recycled concrete in new construction, this study reinforces circular economy principles. This study provides a quantitative basis for policy measures aimed at promoting upcycling, improving energy efficiency, and supporting net-zero emission goals in construction sector.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 200274"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144670225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rebeka Frueholz , Sabine Spiess , Jan Eisbacher-Lubensky , Clemens Habermaier , Georg M. Guebitz , Josephine Mueller , Marianne Haberbauer
{"title":"Zn recovery from steel mill EAF dusts: A two-step biotechnological approach","authors":"Rebeka Frueholz , Sabine Spiess , Jan Eisbacher-Lubensky , Clemens Habermaier , Georg M. Guebitz , Josephine Mueller , Marianne Haberbauer","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200278","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200278","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The growing demand for recycling strategies intended for electric arc furnace (EAF) dusts to recover secondary raw materials calls for innovative approaches that align with environmentally compatible practices. For the recovery of Zn, biogenic sulfuric acid was produced utilizing <em>A. thiooxidans</em> in a reactor in a fed-batch mode. The acid was then used in leaching experiments endeavoring to determine optimal leaching parameters for an efficient Zn extraction while retaining Fe in the dust matrix. At 30 °C, 100 g L<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup> pulp density, and at a leaching duration of 10 min, a concentration of 30 g L<sup>−</sup><sup>1</sup> of Zn equivalent to a leaching efficiency of 76.67 % was found in the leachate while only 0.02 % of the Fe went into solution, indicating a good separation of these two metals. To purify the leaching solution, 48 % Fe was precipitated by adjusting the pH to 3.8 using NaOH. The extraction of Zn from the leachate was then achieved using a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) with a two-chamber H-cell setup, with the chambers being separated by a proton exchange membrane. The average Zn recovery from the leachate was 99.9 ± 0.1 % and a final Zn purity on the electrode of 99.2 % was achieved.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 200278"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144704502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alessia Lombardi , Domenico Carlucci , Luigi Cembalo , Antonio Paparella , Luigi Roselli , Sarah Stempfle , Riccardo Vecchio , Giacomo Giannoccaro
{"title":"Drivers for the adoption of circular eco-innovations in agriculture: insights from a field experiment on olive growers","authors":"Alessia Lombardi , Domenico Carlucci , Luigi Cembalo , Antonio Paparella , Luigi Roselli , Sarah Stempfle , Riccardo Vecchio , Giacomo Giannoccaro","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200265","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200265","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Circular economy is emerging as a key approach for transitioning to a more sustainable economic model. However, understanding how to facilitate the transition to a circular economy remains a critical challenge. This study analyses the drivers for the adoption of circular eco-innovations in the agricultural sector by considering both firm-level factors and cognitive characteristics of firms’ managers. Specifically, the willingness to adopt two selected circular eco-innovations was assessed through face-to-face interviews involving a sample of 211 olive growers in Apulia region (Italy). The two tested circular eco-innovations consist of the use of olive pomace digestate as soil conditioner/fertilizer and the use of reclaimed wastewater for irrigation. Data analysis was performed by estimating a bivariate ordered-response probit model. Findings revealed that farmer’s cognitive characteristics, particularly environmental risk awareness, play a key role in the path of adoption. Therefore, a full circular transition in agriculture can be achieved only through a significant shift in farmers’ mind-set, a process that takes time and needs to be supported by tailored policy measures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 200265"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144291096","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xiao Sun , Zhengxia Dou , Gerald Shurson , Dipti Pitta , Kapil Narayan , Yingcheng Wang , Terry Webb , Alexa Johnson , Linda Baker , Bo Hu
{"title":"Sequential fermentation of wheat straw and fruit-vegetable discards to produce circular feed in support of sustainable dairy production","authors":"Xiao Sun , Zhengxia Dou , Gerald Shurson , Dipti Pitta , Kapil Narayan , Yingcheng Wang , Terry Webb , Alexa Johnson , Linda Baker , Bo Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200279","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200279","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Developing novel circular feed from plant-based biomass unfit for direct human consumption is imperative to mitigate environmental degradation. In this study, we tested a sequential fermentation strategy to treat wheat straw (WS) and preserve fresh fruit and vegetable (FFV) discards in making circular feed for ruminants. First, ground wheat straw (particle size <20 mm) moisturized (moisture content 70–80 % by weight) by pure water and by FFV were treated with feed grade fungal strains <em>Tramates versicolor</em> (TV) and <em>Pleurotus ostreatus</em> (PO) at 28 °C for six weeks. Fungal treated mixture resulted in reduced lignin content by 35–55 % and decreased lignin-to-cellulose ratio. Each fungal treated biomass was then mixed with additional FFV and anaerobically fermented at 28 °C for 16 days. Organic acids (over 80 % was lactic acid) accounted for 9–10 % dry matter of the substrates and lowered pH from 5 to about 3.5, which is adequate for preservation of the fermented feed. <em>In vitro</em> dry matter digestibility was not different between the standard diet and sustainability-plus diets that contained 10 % or 25 % of the double-fermented circular feed materials. Fungal fermentation coupled with bacteria-based ensiling of under-valued or wasted biomass can produce novel feeds to support sustainable dairy farming.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 200279"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144757326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Waste import ban and water pollution: Evidence from rivers in Guangdong Province, China","authors":"Zhi Min Zhang, Chengzheng Yu, Jingting Li","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200277","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200277","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examines the effects of China’s 2018 ban on waste imports on water quality in Guangdong Province. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we explore variations in both time and waste imports across different river sections before and after the policy implementation. The findings indicate that regions with pollution permits experienced greater improvements in water quality after the policy implementation. The ban led to significant reductions in the concentrations of mercury (13.67 %,), lead (46.32 %), copper (46.21 %), and zinc (28.15 %). These effects were particularly evident in areas with weaker environmental regulations and limited capacity for waste processing. Further analysis reveals that the reduced industrial production and stronger regulatory enforcement are the main mechanisms driving the policy impact on the improvement of water quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 200277"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144685740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Methodological insights of defining material criticality by assessing different electrolysis and fuel cell stacks","authors":"Andrea Schreiber, Petra Zapp, Lavinia Reitz","doi":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200257","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.rcradv.2025.200257","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Shifting economic sectors to a resource-efficient economy with zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 faces major challenges for the European Union, which is highly dependent on material imports. Critical raw materials play a key role in a wide range of emerging technologies. In times of increasing demand, the assessment of critical raw materials is therefore of utmost importance. This study addresses methodological principles of various materials criticality indicators on product-level. Using the example of manufacturing different electrolysis and fuel cell stacks, these criticality indicators are applied, and the results are discussed. The case study demonstrated that alkaline electrolysis has the lowest criticality among the electrolyzers in seven out of nine criticality indicator evaluations. For fuel cells, the heavier stack concept shows lower criticality compared to the light-weight concept. One reason is the higher demand of rare earth elements and cobalt needed for manufacturing compared to heavier stack. Various rare earths are identified as critical in the manufacture of solid oxide electrolysis and fuel cell stacks. Iridium and nickel contribute most to criticality in the construction of proton exchange membrane electrolysis and alkaline electrolysis stacks, respectively. Five of nine indicators point to the same or similar criticality hotspots and can therefore set priorities for action in materials research for hydrogen and fuel cell systems. Nevertheless, when deciding for or against a material, one has to be aware that the criticality indicators use different sensitive sub-indicators which have an impact on the ranking of materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":74689,"journal":{"name":"Resources, conservation & recycling advances","volume":"27 ","pages":"Article 200257"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144154478","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}