<p>The high cost of biomass feedstock hinders the growth of the cellulosic ethanol industry, especially in regions like China where biomass is extensively dispersed. To tackle this issue, we devised a biomass supply chain model encompassing collection, pretreatment, storage, and transportation phases. We examined the effects of various collection and pretreatment method combinations on supply-chain costs and CO₂ emissions. The model’s validity was confirmed using Heilongjiang and Zhejiang as representatives of northern and southern regions. Mechanized collection with shredding-baling proved to be the most economical, costing 226.6 y/t in Heilongjiang and 217.7 y/t in Zhejiang within a 60 km collection radius. For CO₂ emissions, mechanized collection with kneading emerged as the optimal choice. With governmental subsidies, mechanized collection with kneading became the preferred option, considering both cost and CO₂ emissions. By incorporating agricultural cooperatives, costs were further reduced by up to 70 y/t in Heilongjiang and 65 y/t in Zhejiang. This model facilitates the cost-effective collection of straw for ethanol production in biomass-scattered China. Biomass decentralization combining collection and pretreatment methods is key to achieving site-specific biomass supply. Furthermore, the model can be adapted for acquiring biomass feedstock in other sectors and offers insights for biomass procurement in diverse regions.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>