How can we smartly recycle old clothes?

Have you ever wondered what happens to the clothes you no longer wear? A new study proposes a smart system for collecting textile waste, combining technology and human behavior. Imagine a city where citizens, influenced by personal experiences and social interactions, become active participants in recycling. This model simulates how people respond to incentives and smart infrastructure, showing that participation can significantly increase. However, social segregation can hinder these efforts. The study offers a valuable tool for designing sustainable and engaging strategies, demonstrating that people's behavior is crucial for recycling success. Try to imagine how you could contribute to this change!

The model proposed in the study uses a hybrid simulation platform that combines logistics and human behavior. Adaptive agents represent citizens, whose environmental attitudes evolve through personal experiences, social influences, and perceived service quality. The simulation allows for the analysis of the two-way feedback between citizen participation and service effectiveness, highlighting the importance of individual behavior in determining overall system performance. The model was tested in a representative urban context under various operational conditions, showing that policy incentives and smart infrastructure can increase participation, while social segregation can hinder the adoption of sustainable practices. This tool offers general decision support to explore the behavioral dimension of circular economy initiatives and develop robust scenario-based strategies.