Bridging circularity and inclusion: rethinking municipal solid waste infrastructure for sustainable urban transitions

Cities have become global hubs of economic prosperity, drawing on well-established infrastructure, abundant human resources, and dense industrial networks. However, this rapid urban expansion has strained existing infrastructure and services, compounded by challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and social inequality. Historically, urban development patterns, characterized by linear production and consumption models, have led to significant waste generation and resource degradation, with adverse effects on the environment and human habitats. Under these circumstance, the idea of a circular economy (CE) has gained widespread recognition. Governments, including those of the Netherlands and China, are actively promoting CE principles and integrating them into urban planning...