Environmental Management and Traceability of Secondary Material Recycling in the Circular Economy

Abstract

The growing pressure on natural resources and the unsustainability of production-consumption patterns necessitate a shift from a linear to a circular economy. As a key pillar of this paradigm, secondary material recycling reduces virgin resource consumption and environmental impacts. However, the absence of integrated management frameworks, weak traceability, and overlooked social dimensions undermine the efficiency and sustainability of recycling processes. This study develops and analyzes a comprehensive framework for the environmental management of secondary material recycling, emphasizing circular economy principles, the life-cycle perspective, and traceability. Employing a documentary and comparative analysis based on a systematic review of international standards, the findings reveal that an integrated management framework improves recycling quality and value-chain transparency while reducing environmental and social risks and enhancing market confidence in secondary materials. The study offers a scientific foundation for policymaking and the design of sustainable recycling systems toward a circular economy.