Recycling news: 2026

Fresh every day from industry press, GOV.UK and research feeds — plus the historical archive. Last updated 4 Aug 2026.

Industry news Is UK facing drought for second summer in a row? The longest dry spell in over 30 years for central England raises concerns about drought and when it might rain. BBC News — Science & Environment · 21 Jul 2026 Industry news Grey Sideboards, buffets & console tables - IKEA IKEA UK newsroom · 21 Jul 2026 Industry news Black Ottomans, footstools & pouffes - IKEA IKEA UK newsroom · 21 Jul 2026 Council news Residents urged to help protect Stockport's parks and green spaces from fire risk - Stockport Council Stockport Council · 21 Jul 2026 Industry news Bumblebees are struggling in UK heatwaves - but you can help them The furry bodies of UK bumblebees are specially adapted for cold weather - making heatwaves a struggle. BBC News — Science & Environment · 21 Jul 2026 Council news Aisby Park Activity Days 2026 - Big Blue Door West Lindsey Council · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Three decade rainfall and temperature variability and climate information services shaping smallholder resilience in semi arid Somaliland Smallholder farmers in semi-arid regions face increasing climate risks from erratic rainfall, dry spells, and rising temperatures that undermine agricultural productivity and resilience. This study assessed the contribution of Climate Information Services (CIS) to smallholder resilience in Gabiley District, Somaliland, using a mixed-methods design combining climate trend analysis (1993–2023) wi… Discover Sustainability (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Corrosion protection of XC70 mild steel by a Ni–Co/TiO₂ composite coating in an acidic chloride environment In this study, the corrosion behavior of XC70 steel in a 0.5 M HCl acidic medium was investigated using Ni–Co–TiO₂ composite coatings prepared by electrodeposition. The corrosion resistance of bare steel, Ni–Co alloy coating and Ni–Co–TiO 2 nanocomposite coatings deposited with various TiO 2 concentrations in the bath, was investigated using weight loss measurements and electrochemical tec… Environmental Science and Pollution Research (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Digital empowerment for green governance: digital economy, public environmental concern, and urban industrial pollution control The digital economy (DE) is a nascent economic model with the potential to mitigate urban industrial pollution (UIP) while encouraging high-quality economic expansion. This paper utilized panel data from 258 Chinese cities and employed the fixed-effects model, the mechanism test model, panel threshold model, and the spatial Durbin model to undertake an empirical investigation into the DE on UIP… Frontiers in Environmental Science · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Economic optimization of climate adaptation for water security: an integrated water–energy nexus risk assessment framework The world faces unprecedented demands on water and energy infrastructure because of climate change, and a massive economic structure is needed to enable adaptation planning. This study presents a combined cost–benefit analysis that can be used to analyze climate adaptation strategies in the water and energy sectors. Our model is a multi-objective optimization model, where climate risk measureme… Frontiers in Environmental Science · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science The virtuous loop between nature and well-being: a model of pro-environmental behavior Several studies show the benefits of being close to natural and biodiverse environments. Since COVID-19, people have placed value on natural spaces and rural areas, spending much time indoors. The present study aims to explore the relationship between wellbeing, contact with nature in outdoor activities, environmental awareness, and pro-environmental behavior, as a function of socio-demographic… Frontiers in Environmental Science · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science The impact of sustainable human resource management on firm performance: evidence from Indonesian agriculture firms As one of the major contributors to environmental degradation, the agricultural sector is expected to play an active role in addressing environmental challenges, including through the implementation of sustainable human resource management. This study aims to examine whether the adoption of sustainable human resource management has influenced firm performance which measured by ROA (Return on As… Frontiers in Sustainability · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Bibliometric analysis and systematic review of total quality management research in service industries This bibliometric review systematically analyzes 378 scholarly publications from 1989 to 2024 on the evolution and impact of total quality management (TQM) in the service sector. This study utilizes a robust bibliometric dataset extracted from academic databases, including the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, to trace the trajectory of TQM practices and their adaptation across variou… Discover Sustainability (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Energy transition in India and the race for renewable energy to outpace fossil fuels in carbon reduction Due to rapid economic growth, India is the world's third-largest emitter of carbon, with a high reliance on fossil fuels. Simultaneously, the country has been on an unparalleled course of renewable energy development, making serious strides through its National Solar Mission and its Paris Pledge. This study examines the linkages among renewable energy use, fossil fuel use, and carbon emissions … Discover Sustainability (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Numerical modeling for soil slope stability analysis and mitigation measures along the Weyiza–Wulokode section towards Chencha, Southern Ethiopia This study presents a numerical modeling-based assessment of slope stability along the Weyiza–Wulokode section in the Southern part of Ethiopia, where complex geological and climatic conditions are leading to frequent slope failures. For laboratory testing, soil samples were collected from key slope sections following a thorough field investigation. The soils were classified as clay with high c… Discover Sustainability (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Determinants of approved pesticides adoption and its effects on the welfare of cocoa farmers in Nigeria The use of banned pesticides has contributed to reduced cocoa bean prices through export rejections, market restrictions, and price discounts imposed on produce that fails to meet international residue standards, with adverse consequences for the welfare of cocoa farmers. This study examined the impact of approved pesticide adoption on the welfare of cocoa farmers in Osun State, Nigeria. A mult… Discover Sustainability (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Beyond pyrolysis optimization: a systematic review revealing feedstock acquisition and methodological standardization as critical barriers to biochar commercialization Biochar has emerged as a carbon-negative feedstock for soil amendment, carbon sequestration, and waste valorization. It has become a vital feedstock for sustainable energy in the circular economy. The global biochar market was valued at USD 698.2 million in 2025 and is projected to surpass USD 2040 million by 2033. High production costs (USD 200–2000/ton) and methodological inconsistencies in e… Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Effects of different organic and inorganic growing media on morphological characteristics, biomass accumulation and seedling quality in cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower seedlings Cabbage varieties hold an important place among winter vegetables. In vegetable cultivation, starting production with seedlings rather than seeds is essential for yield and quality. This study was conducted in 2025 in an unheated greenhouse belonging to the Research and Application Centre of the College of Agricultural Sciences in Erbil, Iraq. This study examined the impacts of morphological ch… Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science A sustainable development of hygiene materials: innovations in bio-based materials, functional improvements and waste management systems Menstrual hygiene is of greater concern globally as it entirely depends on individual’s personal choice, socioeconomic status, proximity to resources, education, and cultural beliefs. The global feminine hygiene products market size was valued at USD 43.25 billion in 2024 and the market is anticipated to grow at CAGR of 6.98% from USD 45.56 billion in 2025 to USD 73.07 billion by… Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their precursors in biosolids across 15 U.S. states The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) draft sewage sludge risk assessment indicates that land application of biosolids containing as little as 1 ng/g of perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) or perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) may exceed human health risk thresholds. This study provides updated measurements of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in US biosolids. Twenty-seven biosolid sam… Environmental Science and Pollution Research (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Integrating habitat suitability modeling and species-specific qPCR assay development to enable early detection of the freshwater assassin snail Anentome helena (von dem Busch, 1847) in the United States Freshwater snails released through the aquarium trade that have caused ecological effects in invaded habitats were first detected accidentally rather than through systematic monitoring. Anentome helena, a popular aquarium species not yet reported from the wild, is a likely future invader as it is easy to acquire, inexpensive, and hearty. Thus, we developed habitat suitability models using geore… Frontiers in Environmental Science · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Microplastics standards in Australia and around the world: challenges and perspectives This study provides a review of existing microplastic-related standards. In total, 58 active standards were identified on Standards Australia International Global database. Their scope, spanning sampling, extraction, characterisation and reporting protocols, is reviewed in the context of practical applications. The review also evaluates the rollout of policy responses aiming to curb the burden … Frontiers in Environmental Science · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science African water research beyond the narratives of conflict and scarcity Nature Sustainability · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Towards a theory for Earth’s albedo stability and hemispheric symmetry in the 21st Century Communications Earth & Environment (Nature Portfolio) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Fingerprinting microbe–mineral electron transfer with differential pulse voltammetry Nature Reviews Earth & Environment (Nature Portfolio) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Life cycle assessment of ready-made garments industrial sludge disposal, treatment and recycling in Bangladesh The ready-made garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh is a major economic driver, contributing over 80% of the country’s total exports and employing over 4 million people. However, the environmental impact of sludge disposal from RMG industries is a significant challenge. This study evaluates the environmental impacts of various sludge disposal options using life cycle assessment (LCA). Data… Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Nutritional water productivity of five different crops under drip irrigation in Huye district of Rwanda Food insecurity and malnutrition, including hidden hunger and child stunting, remain critical challenges in Rwanda’s semi-arid regions. While traditional metrics prioritize yield, this study evaluates Nutritional Water Productivity (NWP) as a holistic approach that integrates nutritional value with water-use efficiency. This study provides the first multi-nutrient NWP assessment integrating C3 … Discover Sustainability (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Unravelling the sequential path of digital innovation’s impact on financial performance Whether and through what path digital innovation can be transformed into corporate financial performance is a key issue in digital transformation research. Most of the existing research has proved that there is a correlation between digitization and performance, but the explanation of “how digital innovation capability releases financial value layer by layer through organizational process and p… Discover Sustainability (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science The impact of intellectual property model city development on urban economic resilience Innovation drives technological progress and industrial development, which in turn fuels economic growth, while fair competition improves resource allocation and sustains market vitality. Intellectual property protection (IPP) acts as a vital instrument for catalyzing creativity and preserving a vibrant commercial ecosystem. However, there is still limited empirical evidence at the micro level … Discover Sustainability (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Advancing sovereign ESG performance in China through renewable energy industrialization and government effectiveness This study examines the relationship between renewable energy use, industrialization, governance effectiveness, population growth, and technological innovation, and sovereign environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, used as a proxy for sustainable development, in China over the period 1996–2023. The analysis employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approa… Discover Sustainability (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Leveraging artificial intelligence for business sustainability through mediating effect of marketing innovation strategies and environmental management The objective of this study is to examine how artificial intelligence (AI) enabled digital strategy causes to improve business sustainability through marketing innovation and environmental sustainability in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Data collection and analysis used structured questionnaire to gather data from 278 owners and managers of tourism-based micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME… Discover Sustainability (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science The role of green and AI technology innovation in advancing sustainable industrial development in the United States Reducing carbon intensity is essential for sustainable industrial development in the United States (U.S.), yet it continues to fall short of its net-zero commitments. By addressing this challenge, our study conceptualizes several ecological modernization mechanisms, including Green and AI technology innovation index (GAIT), supply chain digitalization (SCD), private credit depth (PCD), supply c… Discover Sustainability (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science A systematic literature review on green technology adoption in hotels bridging digital technologies and sustainability operations Despite growing intellectual interest in green technology in hotels, the previous reviews have been dominated by answering ‘what’ are the factors influencing green technology adoption, rather than ‘why’ and ‘how’. The study filled the gap by examining the adoption of green technology in hotels by employing the integrated TCM (Theories, Contexts, Methods) and ADO (Antecedents, Decisions, Outcome… Discover Sustainability (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Harmonizing social life cycle impact assessment and interpretation: a consensus framework for zero-tailpipe emission vehicles Purpose This study aims to establish a consensus-based framework for Social Life Cycle Impact Assessment (S-LCIA) or Social Life Cycle Performance Assessment(S-LCPA) tailored for Zero-tailpipe Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) by identifying and classifying social impact subcategories and indicators as mandatory and optional along with providing necessary Interpretation parameters. This framework is pri… The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science An analysis of the effects of changes in Premise databases on the environmental impacts of key products Purpose Premise has been quickly adopted as a major tool for performing prospective LCAs (pLCA). Premise databases are generated by combining the ecoinvent database and data from climate change (CC) scenarios implemented in Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs). Both the extent of changes made with Premise and the focus on CC raise a question on how they affect LCA results. We aim to give practit… The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Experimental and data-driven modeling of multistage freeze desalination for high-salinity reverse osmosis brine treatment This study investigates multistage freeze desalination (MSFD) for the treatment of reverse osmosis (RO) brine, targeting high-purity water production with improved overall recovery efficiency. Experiments were conducted using indirect batch freeze crystallization of seawater samples at − 15 °C, examining the effects of freezing configuration (i.e., top-bottom, and bottom-up). A wide range of in… Environmental Science and Pollution Research (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Heat island, pollution load and urban sprawl in the Kolkata metropolitan city of India during 2000–2020: implications for its sustainability The migration of people from rural and small towns to urban centres, driven by employment opportunities and improved living standards, places increasing pressure on infrastructure and raises concerns about sustainability, particularly in rapidly developing economies. In this context, land use changes and their implications for heat and pollution are examined in Kolkata. Between 2000 and 2020, a… Environmental Science and Pollution Research (Springer) · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Modeling AI adoption intention in manufacturing supply chains This study examines the influence of technology compatibility, top management support, competitive pressure, and employee capability on AI adoption intention within Malaysian manufacturing supply chains, as well as the moderating role of organizational size. A predictive association research design was employed using a self-administered survey via purposive sampling of supply chain and manufact… Frontiers in Sustainability · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science The true impacts of the built environment Nature Sustainability · 21 Jul 2026 Research & science Diurnal sea surface temperature amplification enhances surface extremes during marine heatwaves Communications Earth & Environment (Nature Portfolio) · 21 Jul 2026