Resource recovery is the systematic process of extracting valuable materials and energy from waste streams and discarded products. As an academic concept and research field, it investigates the technological, economic, environmental, and social methodologies required to divert waste from disposal and convert it into usable resources, encompassing areas such as recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion, and energy-from-waste technologies. This multidisciplinary approach is significant for advancing sustainable resource management, promoting circular economy principles, and mitigating the environmental impacts associated with conventional waste disposal.