Recycling news: 2026

Research & science Professionalising waste collection: Exploring a unique model of Haritha Karma Sena women, Kerala Waste Management & Research, Ahead of Print. As many developing countries struggle to manage waste effectively and lack the resources to mechanise collection systems, there is a pressing need to identify and adopt successful interim models until adequate mechanisation becomes feasible. Haritha Karma ... Waste Management & Research (SAGE) · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science From waste to wellness: Welsh collaboration could unlock new natural Vitamin C source Swansea University is partnering with Tenby-based start-up BIOVIT to investigate whether food-processing waste can be turned into a new source of natural Vitamin C — offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic ingredients widely used in supplements and fortified foods. Swansea University News · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science The Students in This Caltech Class are Building Payloads for the Space Station - Caltech Magazine Caltech News · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Rice entrepreneurship’s Summer Venture Studio selects nine ventures for 2026 cohort - Rice University Rice University News · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Dateline Rice for June 29, 2026 - Rice University Rice University News · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science What does Gen Z think about political polarization? - Stanford Report Stanford Report · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Stanford Medicine experts go deep on GLP-1s - Stanford Report Stanford Report · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science NVIDIA UK Physical AI & Robotics Roundtable - Imperial College London Imperial College London News · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Physicists create a strange new quantum state called a fractional fermi sea Researchers have shown that ultracold atoms can be driven into a strange new quantum state called a fractional Fermi sea, where particles organize themselves in unexpected ways. The discovery points to a new phase of matter that goes beyond established quantum theories and could expand the possibilities of quantum simulation. ScienceDaily — Materials Science · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Mapping the hidden rules of a key immune sensor 29.06.26 - A study led by EPFL has mapped how thousands of genetic changes affect a protein central to immunity, inflammation, cancer, and rare immune diseases. The immune system depends on molecular alarms that detect danger inside cells. One of these alarms is STING, short for “stimulator of interferon genes”. STING helps cells respond to infections, damaged DNA, and cancer. When it activates… EPFL News (Mediacom) · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Three design features to move the global just transition from aim to implementation Nature subject feed — Sustainability · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science MXene-based bioabsorbable bandage speeds up diabetic wound repair Nature Reviews Materials (Nature Portfolio) · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Hydrothermal carbonization of waste protein powder for production of energy-dense hydrochars The hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of waste protein powder (WPP) was investigated as a sustainable strategy to transform underutilized protein-rich residues into solid biofuels, contributing to waste-to-energy transitions and circular resource management. Process parameters, including WPP-to-water ratio, temperature, and residence time were systematically varied to evaluate their effects on h… Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management (Springer) · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Pore characteristics and pore size distribution of lithium slag-based porous ceramics prepared via the foaming-in-situ solidification process The exponential growth in lithium-ion battery production has resulted in a massive accumulation of lithium slag, posing a major challenge to sustainable waste management and environmental protection. In this study, 100 wt% lithium-slag-based porous ceramics were prepared for the first time using an optimized foaming-gelcasting technique incorporating advanced reagents. The thermodynamic phase t… Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management (Springer) · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Assessing the sustainable health-care waste disposal techniques using a hybrid interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy operational competitiveness rating model Health-care waste (HCW) comprises potentially harmful microorganisms that can infect medical professionals, hospital patients and the general public. The management and treatment of HCW are of great concern due to its potential risk to the society and environment. At the present time, several techniques are available for the treatment of HCW materials. Each technique has its own advantages and … Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy (Springer) · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Techno-economic assessment of pilot-scale biobutanol production using Pleurotus ostreatus spent substrate The increasing need for renewable fuels highlights the potential of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) as a sustainable feedstock for biobutanol production. This study evaluated an integrated process that combines pilot-scale experimentation, kinetic modeling, and techno-economic analysis (TEA). SMS from Pleurotus ostreatus containing about 40% cellulose underwent a hybrid pretreatment using dilute… Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery (Springer) · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Carbon Sequestration Dynamics and Ecosystem Service Valuation in the Borana Rangeland, Southern Ethiopia: Linking Ecology and Carbon Finance Rangelands are pivotal for global carbon cycling, climate regulation, and rural livelihoods, yet they are increasingly threatened by overgrazing, land-use conversion, and climate variability. Carbon storage serves as a key ecological indicator, reflecting both ecosystem health and the capacity of rangelands to contribute to climate mitigation. This study assessed carbon storage and its economic… Environmental Management (Springer) · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Environmental Justice in Urban River Restoration Efforts Around the world, globalization processes combined with an enhanced understanding of public health have resulted in former industrial river sites being transformed into amenities that enhance quality of life. These urban transformations can potentially address environmental injustices or perpetuate them. While scholars have documented environmental injustices in the US for decades, less attenti… Environmental Management (Springer) · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Perceived Effects of Agri-Environmental Management Practices on Public Good Delivery European agricultural landscapes have historically been rich in natural features, such as hedgerows, herb-rich grasslands, and pastures, which provide essential public goods (PGs) such as biodiversity, climate regulation, and cultural landscapes. These multifunctional landscapes illustrate that agriculture is closely linked with natural resources, highlighting farmers’ dual role in both food pr… Environmental Management (Springer) · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Parametrization to solve the issue of correlation in uncertainty and sensitivity analysis in life cycle assessment Purpose Several papers that address the topic of uncertainty analysis briefly mention the fact that the correlation between uncertain inputs is ignored. Indeed, there are several reasons why including correlations in large-scale life cycle assessment (LCA) studies is challenging. Yet, it would increase the realism of such studies, and it may also lead to changed conclusions. Here, following sev… The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment (Springer) · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Identifying environmental hotspots in cooling systems through LCA: a policy-relevant framework Purpose This study adapts and advances the Hotspot Analysis framework to address the multidimensional environmental challenges of refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) systems. It provides a policy-oriented synthesis of published life cycle assessment (LCA) evidence for the cooling sector, integrating quantitative analysis with stakeholder validation, to identify the most critical interventi… The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment (Springer) · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Extension and validation of forest carbon flux model for dynamic Life Cycle Assessment Purpose Improving the life-cycle assessment (LCA) of forestry products is important for accounting for the environmental impacts of the transition to a sustainable bioeconomy. Performing accurate biogenic carbon accounting, building time-dependent inventories, and using dynamic impact assessment methods is increasingly required from LCA practitioners. This work documents the development and val… The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment (Springer) · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Social Life Cycle Assessment and Social Acceptance – Can they go hand in hand? Purpose Social aspects are increasingly recognized as a standard component of sustainability. Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) is a technique to address this. The analysis of social acceptance points in a similar direction and is, among others, important to develop socially responsible products – but can they go hand in hand? This research explores the relationship between S-LCA and social … The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment (Springer) · 29 Jun 2026 Research & science Comment une dent de chèvre éclaire enfin les secrets de l’élevage dans la Grèce antique Les grands banquets de la Grèce antique étaient-ils alimentés par des troupeaux nomades ou par les fermes locales ? L’analyse isotopique apporte une réponse à un débat vieux d’un siècle. Cardiff University — The Conversation institution feed · 28 Jun 2026 Research & science Hawaii is turning ocean plastic and fishing nets into roads Hawaii researchers are giving old fishing nets and recycled plastic a second life by mixing them into asphalt roads. Early tests found these roads didn't release more plastic particles than standard pavement, with tire wear overwhelming any plastic signal from the recycled material. If future studies confirm the roads are durable, the technology could help tackle both marine pollution and overf… ScienceDaily — Recycling and Waste · 28 Jun 2026 Research & science Mountain lions changed everything in this tiny California preserve A surprising ecological makeover unfolded when mountain lions began frequenting a small preserve south of San Francisco. Deer activity dropped, plants recovered, and shifts among predators like coyotes, bobcats, and foxes followed. The study shows that powerful “trophic cascades” aren’t limited to remote wilderness—they can happen in small, suburban preserves too. ScienceDaily — Sustainability · 28 Jun 2026 Research & science Spatial network characteristics and drivers of the collaborative development of the arterial and venous industries in “Zero Waste City”: Based on 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) in China The requirements of solid waste reduction, recycling, and harmlessness in the construction of “Zero Waste City” have introduced higher standards for the development of the arterial and venous industries. This study takes 31 provincial regions in China as the research objects. The coupling coordination degree model is used to quantify the collaborative development level of the venous and arteria… Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management (Springer) · 28 Jun 2026 Research & science Tailoring high-performance blend cementitious composites by co-recycling incineration fly ash, glass powder, and blast furnace slag A synergistic ternary geopolymer system based on dechlorinated and detoxified municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI FA), waste glass powder (GP), and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) was developed to enhance mechanical performance and durability. MSWI FA is a potential resource for geopolymer synthesis. However, its independent reactivity is constrained by the scarcity of … Waste Disposal & Sustainable Energy (Springer) · 28 Jun 2026 Research & science Rebecca Kramer-Bottiglio - Princeton Engineering Princeton Engineering News · 27 Jun 2026 Research & science Social life-cycle assessment of municipal solid waste management: A case study of citizen social performance in a southeastern Brazilian municipality Waste Management & Research, Ahead of Print. This study provides a social life-cycle assessment (S-LCA) of municipal solid waste management to evaluate citizen engagement in a southeastern Brazilian municipality. S-LCA followed UNEP/SETAC guidelines, including 3 social impact categories, 6 ... Waste Management & Research (SAGE) · 27 Jun 2026 Research & science Job details: Associate Professor (Teaching) - UCL | University College London UCL News · 27 Jun 2026 Research & science Increasing irrigation demand coincides with declining irrigation development potential under climate change Nature subject feed — Sustainability · 27 Jun 2026 Research & science Production of aromatics from high density polyethylene over a hierarchical zeolite synthesised from steam-assisted crystallisation Nature subject feed — Sustainability · 27 Jun 2026 Research & science Synergistic effects of co-combusting lignite and chicken manure in a circulating fluidized bed boiler: an analysis of ash agglomeration and sulfur retention This study investigates the synergistic effects of co-combusting lignite (L) and chicken manure (CM) in a 350 kWth circulating fluidized bed boiler (CFBB), highlighting an innovative approach to renewable energy and waste management. Utilizing a range of fuel blends from 100% lignite to 100% CM, the research assesses combustion efficiency, emission characteristics, and ash agglomeration tendenc… Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery (Springer) · 27 Jun 2026 Research & science A short review on microbial ecology of food-waste valorization: insights from anaerobic digestion, fermentation, and composting Food-waste (FW) valorization is an important component of the circular bioeconomy. This review summarizes studies on microbial community dynamics in three FW conversion routes, such as anaerobic digestion (AD), fermentation, and composting, and links operating conditions to process performance and product outcomes. A PRISMA-guided search was conducted, and studies applying high-throughput seque… Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery (Springer) · 27 Jun 2026 Research & science Natural deep eutectic solvents (Na)DES as green tools for the valorization of citrus byproducts: advances, challenges and perspectives The citrus industry generates ≈ 50% of byproducts (peel, seeds, pomace) that are rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and pectins. These bioactives are typically recovered using conventional organic solvents, but these solvents are often toxic, poorly selective, energy-intensive, and generate substantial waste, so there is a clear need for more sustainable options. This review synthesiz… Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery (Springer) · 27 Jun 2026 Research & science How are Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Revolutionizing Forest Operations? A Systematic Review of Current Applications and Future Opportunities The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, in forest operations has increased significantly, with applications ranging from rut and deformation mapping and canopy and gap analysis to road geometry and stockpile/woodchip volume calculations. However, no comprehensive reviews have synthesized the use of UAVs in forest operations. Here we present a systematic review of 48 studies on UA… Environmental Management (Springer) · 27 Jun 2026 Research & science Adaptive Modeling to Inform Environmental Management Ecological modeling captures natural phenomena and processes, aiding in our understanding of ecology, conservation biogeography, and hydrology. The integration of ecological modeling into adaptive management frameworks is, however, underutilized. Adaptive modeling can enhance adaptive management by integrating new information and responding to changing environmental conditions, which facilitate… Environmental Management (Springer) · 27 Jun 2026 Research & science Modelling and Optimisation of Methane Yield From Anaerobic Co-digestion of Food and Yard Waste Using RSM and ANN Approaches The development of biogas production as a sustainable and effective alternative has been fuelled by the growing need for renewable energy sources. Thus, the growing global demand for renewable energy has demanded more research interest in anaerobic digestion (AD). AD is among the simplest ways to boost biogas production productivity. Thus, AD is considered one of the best renewable energy optio… Materials Circular Economy (Springer) · 27 Jun 2026 Research & science Os pássaros se masturbam, e isso é perfeitamente normal Alguns criadores de pássaros tentaram medicar seus animais para impedi-los de praticar o sexo solitário University of Oxford — The Conversation institution feed · 26 Jun 2026