Geotechnics in the circular economy-contributions and challenges

Abstract

The effects of climate change that we have been experiencing and the increasing perception of citizens that natural resources are finite highlight the inevitability of making the society more sustainable. Therefore, the need to promote the transition from a Linear Economy to a Circular Economy model, and to implement this transition in different sectors of the economy have become topical issues. This paper presents the author's perspective on the circular economy in the construction sector and some challenges and potential contributions of civil and geotechnical engineering towards its implementation are outlined. The effective transition to a model of greater circularity in construction industry implies great technical and scientific challenges, encompassing multidisciplinary collaborations. Geotechnics having typically an early position in the construction process can have a crucial role. This paper aims to point out the relevance of geotechnical engineering to the circular economy as a tool to achieve the sustainable development. (c) Authors: All rights reserved, 2023.