Recycling, as a topic, encompasses the collection, separation, processing, and reintroduction of post-consumer or post-industrial materials into manufacturing cycles to displace primary raw resources. Scientifically, it involves material-specific pathways such as mechanical and chemical recycling for polymers, re-smelting and refining for metals, and deinking and pulping for paper fibers. Research addresses process efficiency, contamination control, life cycle assessment (LCA), and system-level optimization of material flows within circular economy frameworks. Key metrics include recovery rates, material quality retention, embodied energy, and net environmental impact relative to landfilling, incineration, or virgin-material production.
In many African cities, a broken fridge is rarely thrown away immediately. It may be repaired and resold, dismantled for spare parts or collected for its metal components.
Environment
Oct 21, 2026
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14
Cells constantly recycle proteins and other cellular components. But how do they ensure that the right cargo ends up in the right recycling vesicle—one of the cell's transport carriers? A team at the University of Basel has ...
Cell & Microbiology
Oct 19, 2026
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8
Recycling may happen far from the place where waste is produced. Paper, metals, plastics and glass discarded in one country can be shipped across the world and used as raw materials in another. This international market is ...
Environment
Oct 19, 2026
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16
A new University of Melbourne-led study has identified insights and evidence that could help mitigate the fast-rising climate impact of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).
Environment
Oct 16, 2026
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22
Wastewater reclamation is increasingly regarded as an alternative water source to mitigate water scarcity in China. However, expanding wastewater treatment capacity alone may not be enough to ease this scarcity, since wastewater ...
Environment
Oct 16, 2026
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8
A study led by the Centre for Global Wood Security formally defines the concept of global wood security and identifies the 20 greatest challenges to wood security in the 21st century.
Environment
Oct 16, 2026
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14
From the clear covering on your microwave meal to the flimsy bread bag lying on the kitchen counter, plastic film is notoriously tricky to recycle. But what if those annoying bits of plastic waste could be put to better use?
Environment
Oct 16, 2026
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11
Agriculture depends on a reliable supply of nutrients. Phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium, for example, are indispensable for agricultural crop production. However, natural reserves are limited, vary greatly in regional availability ...
Ecology
Oct 13, 2026
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A new study led by researchers at the University of Limerick (UL) has identified a new battery material from a renewable wood industry byproduct that could help reduce reliance on scarce and expensive materials.
Nanomaterials
Oct 12, 2026
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113
Factors such as sunlight and stage-specific nutrient application determine crop success in urban agriculture, far beyond fixed recipes or miracle solutions. The findings are published in the journal Agronomy for Sustainable ...
Agriculture
Oct 7, 2026
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10
