Materials Processing for Sustainable Solid Waste Recycling

Materials processing is central to the transition from waste management toward circular resource utilization, enabling industrial, municipal, and agricultural solid wastes to be converted into secondary raw materials and value-added products. However, the heterogeneous composition, variable particle size, complex physicochemical properties, and potential contaminants of solid wastes continue to present significant challenges for efficient recycling. Current research is addressing these challenges through improved separation, grinding, classification, agglomeration, thermal treatment, chemical extraction, and formulation strategies. Advances in particulate characterization, process modelling, and the development of waste-derived binders and functional materials have demonstrated the potential to improve resource recovery and product performance. Nevertheless, important gaps remain in understanding process–structure–property relationships, achieving consistent material quality, reducing energy and environmental impacts, and translating laboratory-scale innovations into robust industrial processes.This Research Topic aims to advance the engineering principles and technologies required for the sustainable recycling of solid wastes into high-value materials and products. It will bring together research on the physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical processing of waste resources, with particular emphasis on process optimization, material performance, scalability, and environmental sustainability. Contributions may investigate how waste characteristics influence processing behavior and final product properties, as well as how advanced modelling and characterization can support the design of efficient recycling systems. The Research Topic also seeks to identify practical strategies for integrating recycled materials into industrial, construction, energy, and other relevant applications.To gather further insights into the processing, characterization, modelling, and application of recycled solid wastes, the Research Topic welcomes contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Grinding, milling, classification, separation, and size reduction of solid wastes• Agglomeration, granulation, palletization, and formulation of waste-derived materials• Processing of industrial by-products, including slag, fly ash, mine tailings, red mud, and mineral residues• Recycling and valorization of municipal, construction, demolition, and agricultural wastes• Granular mechanics, powder flowability, rheology, and handling of waste-derived materials• Advanced characterization of particle morphology, composition, surface properties, and microstructure• Development and performance evaluation of waste-derived binders, composites, adsorbents, and functional materials• Discrete Element Method, Finite Element Method, computational fluid dynamics, and multiphase-flow modelling• Thermochemical conversion, pyrolysis, gasification, combustion, and thermal treatment• Chemical recycling, extraction, leaching, purification, and synthesis of secondary raw materials• Process integration, optimization, energy efficiency, and environmental impact assessment• Scale-up, process control, techno-economic analysis, and industrial implementation• Structural, environmental, energy-related, and other applications of recycled materialsWe welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Perspective, Brief Research Report, Methods, and Technology and Code articles. Topic editors: Chuan-Yu Wu, Diego Barletta, Stefan Radl Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85585/materials-processing-for-sustainable-solid-waste-recycling