Assessing the impact of implementing circular economy strategies in the construction industry: A case study in the Ruhr Area in Germany.

Environmental impacts minimization of mixed textile waste recycling process through life cycle assessment.

Perspectives for utilization of green liquor dregs: Considerations for future studies.

A nexus of barriers and strategies for circular economy implementation in the construction industry: A structural equation modeling approach

Rethinking water in the circular economy: a review of policy approaches in action plans in Europe and pillars of the circular water economy

Involving key stakeholders in the circular economy: Insights from a regional sustainability transition project in northern Germany

The European Union's transition toward a circular economy introduces new challenges for the safety of food contact materials (FCM), particularly those made from recycled or reused substances. Recycling processes often increase the presence of non-intentionally added substances due to faulty sorting, material degradation, and other factors, rendering the exact chemical composition of recycled materials unpredictable. Furthermore, many substances currently used in FCM remain unassessed for health risks, complicating both hazard identification and exposure estimation. This study reviews potential challenges within the risk analysis of recycled FCM and examines the current state of risk assessment and risk management for key compounds of concern in recycled FCM - Bisphenol A (BPA), Bisphenol S (BPS), and mineral oil saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons (MOSH/MOAH). Using a survey-based tool developed for competent authorities yielded data that were transferred into geographical maps showing the current state in different European countries. The maps highlight large differences across European countries in terms of both risk assessment and management, with some nations having risk assessed contaminants and actively monitoring and regulating, while others have yet to initiate these processes. The fragmented legal landscape, primarily shaped by national legislation, further impedes harmonised risk management. Therefore, the study proposes the use of geographical maps to integrate risk assessment data with national regulatory information, thereby facilitating information exchange and supporting the ‘one substance, one assessment’ approach. • Circular economy challenges risk analysis for recycled food contact materials (rFCM) • Risk assessment and management status mapped for several rFCM contaminants • Large differences in risk assessment and risk management status within Europe • Maps could facilitate information exchange in future policies

The transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) is prompting construction organizations to redefine the concept of progress. However, the transition from digital capability to a higher-level sense of innovation is not inevitable. This research delves into the effect of AI capability on innovation-driven circular economy (CE) practices, providing evidence that technological advances alone do not drive change without an enabling cognitive and organizational environment. We adopt the lens of sociotechnical systems (STS) theory to conceptualize knowledge integration as the mechanism by which AI capability leads to CE practice adoption and cognitive rigidity as the inhibitor that reduces the positive effect of knowledge integration. Structural equation modeling and moderated mediation tests are applied to a survey of 414 construction professionals. Results suggest that AI capability promotes new ways of working and CE practices indirectly through its influence on knowledge integration; however, this influence is attenuated when cognitive rigidity hampers knowledge integration. The research extends STS theory into a domain of innovation management by integrating its cognitive, technical, and organizational elements. Our findings offer practical implications for industry practitioners, suggesting that building CE capacity goes beyond adopting digital technology; it also involves fostering cognitive agility and robust knowledge exchange mechanisms to enable those technologies to translate into innovation.

A study on the products from co-pyrolysis of fruit waste with high density polyethylene

Increased global food demand is paralleled by the generation of greater volumes of nutrient-rich agricultural and food processing wastewaters. These wastewaters, including meat processing wastewater (MPW), contain an abundance of nutrients capable of supporting plant growth. This coincides with agri-food industry requirements to improve valorisation and sustainable circular economy approaches for optimised waste management. Cultivation of aquatic ferns, Azolla spp., has been proposed as a promising means of nutritionally favourable biomass production and nutrient recovery of agri-food wastewaters. Yet optimal cultivation strategies for scaled applications remain largely unknown. The present study assessed the relative growth rate (RGR) of Azolla filiculoides on MPW under different cultivation conditions. These included pH (5, 6, 7.8, 9, 9.4, unadjusted) and dilution (5, 10, 50, 100%) of MPW, alongside physical cultivation parameters of surface cover (10, 20, 40, 60%) and plant abundance (1, 2, 3, 6 sub-plants). Undiluted MPW (100%) at pH 6 facilitated the highest RGR. Optimal density conditions for growth promotion were identified as being remarkably at low (10% surface cover) and equally for plant abundances of 3 and 6 sub-plants, with mean (±SE) removal efficiencies of 37.78 ± 5.01% for total nitrogen and 61.98 ± 2.3% for total phosphorus. These findings demonstrate that MPW can serve as a suitable growth medium for A. filiculoides . Chemical regulation of MPW and plant-physical management emerge as key factors for A. filiculoides biomass production. Given ease of cultivation, MPW grown A. filiculoides could advance circular economy goals through nutrient conservation and high-protein biomass generation. • Meat processing wastewater (MPW) supports enhanced Azolla filiculoides cultivation. • Optimal A. filiculoides cultivation was achieved on 100% MPW at pH 6. • 10% initial A. filiculoides surface cover (3-6 plantlets) enhanced growth. • Optimised growth facilitated, removal of up to 37.8% N and 62.9% P from MPW.

Hydrogen peroxide-based oxidation and pH-controlled precipitation for the recovery of non-cerium rare earth elements from permanent magnet waste

Microplastics and impurities in digestates and compost: A comparative study of waste-derived soil amendments.

As a major component of lignocellulosic biomass, lignin supports sustainable biorefineries and the circular economy as a renewable feedstock for biofuels and high-value chemicals. Catalytic upgrading of lignin pyrolysis volatiles offers a promising pathway. This study investigated lignin pyrolysis with in-situ upgrading using CaO (basic), HZSM-5 (acid), and CaO-HZSM-5 relay catalysts at 550 °C with a lignin-to-catalyst weight ratio of 1:1. Raw tar contained H-type (phenol, alkylphenols, naphthalenols), G-type (methoxyphenols), and S-type (dimethoxyphenols) phenolics, esters, alkanes, alkenes and aromatics. CaO increased the total relative content of phenolics by 17.96%, favoring H- and G-type phenolics while reducing S-type phenolics and esters. HZSM-5 significantly promoted aromatics formation, raising the relative content of mono- and bicyclic aromatics by 11.21% and 23.86%, respectively. The relay catalyst simultaneously increased the relative content of phenolics and aromatics, achieving 69.96% selectivity for H-type phenolics among total phenolics and 80.23% combined selectivity for benzenes and naphthalenes within the aromatic fraction, with the lowest coke yield (4.02%). A synergistic catalytic mechanism is proposed, where primary tar undergoes decarbonylation and demethoxylation over CaO, followed by aromatization over HZSM-5. This integrated basic-acid strategy promotes production of light phenolics and aromatics while suppressing coke deposition, advancing efficient lignin conversion into value-added chemicals. • An integrated pyrolysis-catalytic upgrading system was constructed for lignin conversion. • Basic CaO catalytic upgrading led to demethoxylation and decarbonylation, boosting H- and G-type phenolics. • Acidic HZSM-5 showed high aromatization activity, substantially promoting aromatic production. • Synergistic basic-acid catalysis efficiently converted lignin to light phenols and aromatics. • Basic-acid tandem catalysis suppressed coking more effectively than individual catalysts.

Circular economy and consumer action: The role of apps in reducing food waste and shaping consumer behavior

Towards responsible innovation ecosystems through social labs: Lessons from the field

Agricultural waste accumulation presents significant environmental challenges, including greenhouse gas emissions and ecological degradation. Microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP) has emerged as a superior thermochemical strategy to valorise these residues into high-value biochar-based materials. Compared to conventional pyrolysis (CP), MAP provides unique advantages such as volumetric heating and precise structural control, enabling the synthesis of advanced carbon forms including biochar-derived graphene oxide (GO). This review systematically evaluates the fundamental mechanisms of MAP, emphasizing the influence of biomass composition and process parameters on the physicochemical properties of the resulting carbon. We highlight how MAP facilitates the fine-tuning of porosity, graphitization, and surface functionality, which are critical for high-end applications. Specifically, the review discusses the integration of these materials into additive manufacturing and their role as high-performance electrode modifiers in electrochemical sensors. A significant focus is placed on the emerging application of biochar-based coatings in providing anti-biofouling properties, which enhance the durability and efficiency of surfaces in marine and biomedical environments. Furthermore, we address technical bottlenecks in upscaling MAP and propose future research directions, such as optimizing process atmospheres to support a circular bioeconomy. This review provides a comprehensive roadmap for transforming agricultural waste into functional carbon materials with diverse industrial applications. ● MAP offers fast, low-energy routes to value-added carbon materials. ● MAP conditions tune biochar porosity, graphitization, and surface functionality. ● Biochar and derived carbons enable composites, coatings, and sensing applications. ● Upscaling challenges and process limitations of MAP are critically assessed. ● Future directions include atmosphere control and underexplored MAP parameters.

Digital-circular pathways for wine industry: Exploring evidence from multinational enterprises

Canary Islands' energy system relies on imported fossil fuels for more than 80% of its supply, leading to high costs, vulnerability, and elevated greenhouse gas emissions. This study evaluates the energy and climate potential of pruning biomass generated across the archipelago using a species-based inventory combined with absorption/emission factors and lower calorific value (LCV). Results indicate an annual availability exceeding 650,000 t of dry biomass, corresponding to a gross energy potential of more than 2800 GWh/year and the avoidance of approximately 0.62 MtCO₂eq/year if recovered before decomposition. Pinus canariensis needle litter represents over 90% of the resource, while urban pruning contributes locally to waste management. The novelty of this work lies in the integrated assessment of energy potential, emissions mitigation, and land management, applied for the first time to the Canary Islands. Overall, pruning biomass emerges as a relevant local renewable resource for the island energy transition and the circular economy. • Canary Islands biomass could replace 31% fossil fuels • Pruning waste offers 2800 GWh yearly energy potential • Island biomass may reduce 0.62 MtCO₂eq emissions/year

Assessment of post-consumer plastic packaging waste flow in Chiang Mai: Challenges for low- and high-value plastic waste streams towards a circular economy

Unlocking circular economy potential in pig farming: Waste, impacts and pathways from Southeast Vietnam