We are pleased to highlight ten highly cited papers published in Recycling (ISSN: 2313-4321) in 2025. These papers cover a broad range of topics in resource recovery and circular economy, including solid waste valorization, recycled construction materials, critical metal extraction, thermochemical conversion of biomass, and life cycle and sustainability assessments. Together, they provide valuable insights into innovative technologies, material reuse strategies, and policy-driven approaches that support sustainable resource management. We invite you to read these papers, which reflect recent advances in recycling science and engineering.

1. “Utilization of Mill Scale Waste as Natural Fine Aggregate Replacement in Mortar: Evaluation of Physical, Mechanical, Durability, and Post-Fire Properties”
by Apinun Siriwattanakarn, Ampol Wongsa, Nawapak Eua-Anant, Vanchai Sata, Piti Sukontasukkul and Prinya Chindaprasirt
Recycling 2025, 10(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10010020
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/10/1/20

2. “Recycling Cork/PLA Bio-Composites Through Dissolution–Precipitation Method”
by Nuno Gama, Bruno Godinho, Ana Barros-Timmons and Artur Ferreira
Recycling 2025, 10(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10010013
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/10/1/13

3. “Efficient Extraction of Lithium, Cobalt, and Nickel from Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt Oxide Cathodes with Cholin Chloride/Pyrogallol-Based Deep Eutectic Solvent”
by Aisulu Batkal,Kaster Kamunur, Lyazzat Mussapyrova, Yerzhan Mukanov and Rashid Nadirov
Recycling 2025, 10(3), 88; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10030088
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/10/3/88

4. “Hydrothermal Carbonization of Biomass Waste for Solid Biofuel Production: Hydrochar Characterization and Its Application in Blast Furnace Injection”
by Guangwei Wang, Junyi Wu,Haibo Li, Andrey Karasev, Xiaojun Ning and Chuan Wang
Recycling 2025, 10(3), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10030089
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/10/3/89

5. “Phase Characterisation for Recycling of Shredded Waste Printed Circuit Boards”
by Laurance Donnelly, Duncan Pirrie, Matthew Power and Andrew Menzies
Recycling 2025, 10(4), 157; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10040157 
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/10/4/157

6. “Waste Valorization Technologies in Tannery Sludge, Chromite, and Magnesite Mining”
by Evgenios Kokkinos, Effrosyni Peleka, Evangelos Tzamos and Anastasios Zouboulis
Recycling 2025, 10(4), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10040123
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/10/4/123
 
7. “Recycled Concrete Aggregate in Self-Consolidating Concrete: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Mechanical Properties, RCA Pre-Treatment and Durability Behaviour”
by Ariana C. Morales Rapallo and Kerstin Kuchta
Recycling 2025, 10(6), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10060214
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/10/6/214
 
8. “The Role of the Triple Helix Model in Promoting the Circular Economy: Government-Led Integration Strategies and Practical Application”
by Maximilian Espuny, José Salvador da Mota Reis, Elen Cristina Bravos Giupponi, Aglaé Baptista Torres Rocha, Ana Carolina Ferreira Costa, Camila Fabricio Poltronieri and Otávio José de Oliveira
Recycling 2025, 10(2), 50; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10020050
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/10/2/50

9. “Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Energy Demand and Solid Waste Generation Between Two Manufacturing Processes: A Case Study”
by Fernando Nogueira Cardoso, João da Cruz Payão Filho, Margareth Nascimento de Souza Lira and Claudinei de Souza Guimarães
Recycling 2025, 10(4), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10040163
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/10/4/163

10. “Carbon Footprint of Composting and Vermicomposting of Household Biowaste: A Decision-Making Factor for Regional Biowaste Recovery Policies?”
by Chantal Berdier, Muriel Maillefert and Mathilde Girault
Recycling 2025, 10(2), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling10020044
Full text available online: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-4321/10/2/44