Towards a Circular Built Environment: Resource Recovery and Valorization of Solid Waste

Rapid urbanization and intense construction activity are generating unprecedented volumes of solid waste, including construction and demolition waste (C&DW), municipal solid waste (MSW), and industrial by-products. Conventional linear waste management models, based primarily on disposal, are increasingly unsustainable, accelerating resource depletion, environmental degradation, and overburdening landfill capacity. Addressing these challenges requires an urgent paradigm shift towards a Circular Built Environment, which seeks to minimize waste generation and maximize the recovery and valorization of waste streams into valuable materials for construction and infrastructure.

Transitioning to this circular model demands innovative solutions to pressing challenges in waste sorting, processing, and material conversion, as well as rigorous environmental and economic assessments of these processes. This Research Topic aims to catalyze this transition by focusing on holistic strategies for closing the materials loop within the built environment.

Aims and Scope

This Research Topic seeks to advance scientific knowledge and stimulate interdisciplinary collaboration in the field of solid waste resource recovery for the built environment. The key objectives are to:

o Explore and promote innovative strategies and technologies for transforming diverse solid waste streams (C&DW, MSW, industrial residues) into valuable secondary resources suitable for construction and infrastructure applications.

o Move beyond disposal-centric models by emphasizing waste reduction, reuse, and high-value recycling.

o Critically evaluate the sustainability, environmental impact, and economic feasibility of valorization processes using lifecycle assessments and environmental performance studies.

o Bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and real-world implementation through practical case studies and successful applications of waste-derived products.

o Accelerate the adoption of circular economy principles, building more resilient, resource-efficient urban environments.

Call for Contributions

We welcome original research articles, systematic reviews, and case studies focused on solid waste recovery and valorization relevant to the built environment. Submissions may address, but are not limited to:
1. Performance Assessment of Waste-Derived Construction Materials
o Applications in building construction, transportation infrastructure, and environmental engineering.
o Evaluation of functional, mechanical, and durability performance under realistic service conditions.

2. Durability and Degradation Mechanisms
o Investigation of material performance under extreme environmental stresses (e.g., freeze-thaw cycles, high temperatures, wet-dry exposure).
o Resistance to chemical attacks including acid rain, sulfate and chloride ingress, and carbonation.

3. Advanced Research Methodologies
o AI-driven approaches (e.g., machine learning, deep learning) for waste classification, material property prediction, and optimal formulation design.
o Numerical simulations (e.g., finite element analysis, discrete element modeling, computational fluid dynamics) for multi-scale assessment of material behavior and process optimization.
o Development and application of specialized software and digital tools supporting process design, monitoring, and lifecycle analysis.

Expected Impact

This collection aims to serve as a reference point for academics, industry professionals, and policymakers seeking sustainable, high-performance solutions for waste valorization in construction. By showcasing advances in research, practical innovation, and application, it aspires to accelerate the transition to a truly circular built environment.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: Resource Recovery, Waste Reduction, Reuse, Recycling

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.