Technological Pathways to Waste Reduction and Resource Efficiency

Dear Colleagues,

Against the backdrop of growing demand for raw materials and escalating climate and environmental challenges, enhancing resource utilization efficiency and reducing waste generation have become core goals of global sustainable development, with technology serving as the pivotal enabler. Modern societies urgently need innovative solutions to advance material recycling, resource reuse, reduce consumption of new resources, and extend product lifecycles—all to minimize environmental impact—and technology plays an irreplaceable role in this process.

Artificial intelligence (AI), in particular, has emerged as a core technological pathway to optimize resource allocation, cut waste, and transform traditional production models through digital innovation. A range of cutting-edge technologies, from digital tools, additive manufacturing, and biotechnology to advanced recycling and waste management systems, not only enable precise resource analysis and optimal utilization but also reduce resource loss in inventory and transportation, providing strong support for the coordinated improvement of economic and environmental benefits. The full release of technological value, however, relies on synergy between innovative technologies, infrastructure investment, regulatory systems, and public awareness.

Given that academic research on technologies (especially AI) for enhanced resource utilization and waste reduction has largely been fragmented, with relatively scarce outcomes in their intersection, this Special Issue focuses on technology and AI-driven solutions, emphasizing their practical value and technical logic in improving resource efficiency and reducing waste. We aim to gather cutting-edge research to delve into how digitalization and technological innovation drive the transformation of traditional production models to meet sustainability needs, covering key areas such as advanced recycling technology, smart resource management, and supply chain optimization supported by AI, biotechnology, and other tools.

We particularly invite research focusing on AI applications, including technical exploration and practical verification in manufacturing, supply chain optimization, and advanced analytics for resource efficiency. Additionally, we encourage submissions that integrate traditionally separate research fields to demonstrate the practical impact of technological innovation on sustainability, policy formulation, and social change.

This Special Issue is committed to addressing the academic gap between technology and resource-waste reduction fields, extending the boundaries of current academic discussions by supplementing underrepresented practical cases and empirical data. It aims to lay the foundation for future research on the deep integration of technology and sustainable development policies, provide best-practice references for researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders on technology implementation, and promote cross-disciplinary technological collaboration and innovation.

Dr. Damira Keček
Dr. Katerina Fotova Čiković
Dr. Joško Lozić
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• waste reduction
• resource efficiency
• technological innovations
• artificial intelligence
• AI-driven approaches
• sustainability