This study presents virtual reality (VR) videos as an effective technique for delivering extension educational materials on manure and mortality management. Virtual reality is a technology that can enable immersive distance learning. Using VR tours can enable the public to learn manure and mortality management technologies without in-person farm visits, thus saving traveling time and money and avoiding exposure to pathogens and noxious odors in farms. As the first part of this project, 360° VR tours were created on multiple aspects of manure management, including composting, anaerobic digestion, and preliminary wastewater treatment. These videos were presented to a diverse audience of agricultural producers, extension specialists, and researchers through in-person and online extension events and the Texas Manure YouTube channel. The effectiveness of videos was evaluated using surveys, which measured the audience's awareness of the topics before and after watching VR videos. Statistical analysis revealed that the increase in awareness after watching the videos was statistically significant, with a p-value of less than 0.0001. Statistical analysis also revealed that job classification and professional experience significantly impacted the change in awareness. Researchers, extension specialists/agents, and participants with less experience in manure and mortality management experienced a greater change in awareness than agricultural producers and participants with more experience. Interest and impression of the audience on the VR videos was also evaluated. According to survey data, the majority of the audience rated these videos as an effective technique for educating the public about manure and mortality management, found the VR videos interesting, were willing to learn more content through VR videos, and were likely to recommend them to their colleagues. A statistically significant correlation could be observed between the awareness change and the effectiveness rating given to the videos by the participant.

End-of-life tires (ELTs) and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) produced from municipal solid waste (MSW) contain recoverable carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and chemical energy. This study evaluated pyrolysis as a resource-routing approach by comparing ELT and RDF under a common 500 °C batch condition. Product yields, elemental routing, energy retention, and downstream utilization potential were assessed across char, liquid, and gas streams. ELT retained 82.6% of feed carbon and 86.2% of feed energy in char and liquid products, whereas RDF retained 62.4% of feed carbon and 44.6% of feed energy in these condensed streams and produced a larger apparent gas fraction. Nitrogen routing also differed markedly: ELT distributed N relatively evenly between char and liquid, while RDF retained 61.3% of its initial N in char despite containing approximately seven times more N per unit mass of prepared feedstock. ELT produced carbon-rich char and an energy-dense liquid requiring upgrading, while RDF showed greater carbon and nitrogen retention in char and generated a predominantly aqueous condensate. Screening against published utilization studies and relevant product criteria identified plausible material, chemical, and energy-recovery pathways. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of feedstock-specific elemental routing and product quality in evaluating resource recovery, providing a practical basis for integrating thermochemical conversion into circular waste-management systems.