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Sustainable Civil Engineering: Circular Economy, Environmental Impact, and Tools Driving Transformation

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Engineering and Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 5983

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Justyna Jaskowska-Lemańska

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30-059 Cracow, Poland
Interests: sustainable civil engineering; non-destructive testing; circular construction
Dr. Joanna Sagan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
Interests: construction and demolition waste; reverse logistics; life cycle assessment (LCA); ESG

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

"Sustainable Civil Engineering: Circular Economy, Environmental Impact, and Tools Driving Transformation" focuses on interdisciplinary research and practical solutions that promote the transformation of the construction industry towards sustainable and circular practices. The specific topics covered in this Special Issue include the following:

  1. Innovative Methods and Circular Strategies:
    • Life cycle assessment (LCA) for evaluating environmental impact.
    • Methods to reduce waste and enhance efficiency.
    • Recycling technologies and material recovery in construction.
  2. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) in Circular Construction:
    • NDT applications for assessing the durability and reuse potential of structural elements.
    • Predicting material degradation and identifying components for recovery.
    • Innovative NDT techniques supporting waste reduction in construction.
  3. Digital Technologies in Sustainable Construction:
    • IoT tools for monitoring material lifecycle and construction processes.
    • Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced algorithms for environmental data analysis and process optimization.
    • BIM (building information modeling) for circular economy, material management, and sustainable design.
  4. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in Construction:
    • Integrating ESG principles into construction projects to address environmental and social impacts.
    • Responsible management practices, supply chain transparency, and ethical standards.
    • Social sustainability, including community needs, diversity, and inclusivity in projects.
  5. Best Practices and Case Studies:
    • Practical implementations of circular economy strategies and tools.
    • Practices reducing emissions and improving resource efficiency.
    • Examples of sustainable infrastructure and construction processes.
  6. Interdisciplinary Approaches to Sustainable Construction:
    • Combining engineering, IT, and environmental sciences for comprehensive solutions.
    • The role of regulations, standards, and public–private collaboration in promoting sustainability.

This Special Issue aims to showcase research, reviews, and case studies that drive innovation and responsible practices in the construction industry, fostering a sustainable and circular future.

Dr. Justyna Jaskowska-Lemańska
Dr. Joanna Sagan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable construction
  • circular economy
  • environmental impact
  • non-destructive testing (NDT)
  • life cycle assessment (LCA)
  • building information modeling (BIM)
  • Internet of Things (IoT) in construction
  • artificial intelligence (AI) in construction
  • construction waste management
  • ESG in construction
  • resource efficiency
  • interdisciplinary approaches in civil engineering
  • governance in sustainable construction projects

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 2318 KB  
Article
Environmental and Microbiological Performance of a CAM-Compliant Green Cleaning Protocol: An Integrated Life Cycle and Surface Contamination Assessment in a Civil Facility
by Riccardo Fontana, Elena Smiderle, Noemi Lagreca, Mattia Buratto, Martina Facchini, Chiara Nordi, Beatrice Bandera, Luciano Vogli and Peggy Marconi
Sustainability 2026, 18(9), 4330; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094330 - 27 Apr 2026
Viewed by 673
Abstract
The transition toward sustainable facility management requires cleaning systems that reduce environmental burdens while maintaining high hygienic standards. This study presents a comparative evaluation of a green cleaning protocol (EVA SmartClean), compliant with the Italian Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM; D.M. 29 January 2021), [...] Read more.
The transition toward sustainable facility management requires cleaning systems that reduce environmental burdens while maintaining high hygienic standards. This study presents a comparative evaluation of a green cleaning protocol (EVA SmartClean), compliant with the Italian Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM; D.M. 29 January 2021), compared with a conventional cleaning system implemented in a civil facility (Adriatico Guest House, Trieste, Italy; 8260 m2). The assessment integrates a cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), conducted in accordance with ISO 14040, ISO 14044, ISO 14067 and PCR 2011:03 for professional cleaning services, with an extensive microbiological surface monitoring campaign performed using RODAC plates and swab sampling. The functional unit was defined as 1 m2 of representative surface maintained clean for one year. The green protocol achieved a 47.7% reduction in Global Warming Potential (GWP100 based on IPCC AR6 characterization factors), corresponding to −110 g CO2e/m2·year and −908 kg CO2e/year for the entire facility. Major reductions in climate impact were associated with chemical consumption (−82.6%), energy use (−49.5%), and textile waste generation (−92.4%). Microbiological analyses demonstrated that both protocols complied with reference hygiene thresholds, while the green system achieved reductions in total mesophilic counts that were comparable or superior across representative surfaces. The results confirm that environmental optimization in cleaning services can be achieved without compromising microbiological safety, supporting public procurement policies aligned with CAM requirements and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 12 and 13). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Civil Engineering: Circular Economy, Environmental Impact, and Tools Driving Transformation)
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29 pages, 10634 KB  
Article
Geotechnical Environmental Impact Assessment: Key Impact Categories, Weighting Methods, and Local Conditions
by Aleksandra Mach and Daniel Wałach
Sustainability 2026, 18(9), 4161; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18094161 - 22 Apr 2026
Viewed by 367
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to identify the major environmental impact categories associated with geotechnical works, evaluate the adequacy of commonly used weighting methods, and highlight the need to adapt them to sector-specific characteristics and local conditions. Currently applied weighting approaches rely [...] Read more.
The aim of this paper is to identify the major environmental impact categories associated with geotechnical works, evaluate the adequacy of commonly used weighting methods, and highlight the need to adapt them to sector-specific characteristics and local conditions. Currently applied weighting approaches rely on standardized values that may not accurately reflect the environmental impact of activities across different economic sectors. Moreover, several impact categories, such as eutrophication, acidification, and water use, are strongly dependent on local conditions. The study included the identification of key environmental challenges across Europe and the development of maps illustrating their spatial distribution. Four weighting methods were applied and compared in terms of their influence on the ranking of assessed materials. The analysis shows that geotechnical works include Global Warming Potential, Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential, Particulate Matter, and Abiotic Depletion Potential—fossil. Adapting weightings to local conditions did not change the ranking of analyzed materials in Poland. However, it may significantly influence the results in regions facing different environmental challenges. The results may support the adaptation of environmental assessment methods in geotechnics and contribute to informed decision-making for sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Civil Engineering: Circular Economy, Environmental Impact, and Tools Driving Transformation)
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43 pages, 12092 KB  
Article
Sustainable Valorization of Spent Garnet Wastes in Construction Eco-Materials: Validation Stage of Performance Assessment
by Cornelia Baera, Ana-Cristina Vasile, Aurelian Gruin, Paula Sfirloaga, Claudiu-Sorin Dragomir, Raul Zaharia, Ionel Balcu, Corina Macarie and Doru Buzatu
Sustainability 2026, 18(2), 1000; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18021000 - 19 Jan 2026
Viewed by 783
Abstract
Spent garnet (SG) wastes are generated in significant quantities by several industrial activities, including abrasive waterjet cutting (AWJ), abrasive blasting, and filtration and powdered media applications. These wastes represent a promising secondary raw material for the production of sustainable construction materials, particularly green [...] Read more.
Spent garnet (SG) wastes are generated in significant quantities by several industrial activities, including abrasive waterjet cutting (AWJ), abrasive blasting, and filtration and powdered media applications. These wastes represent a promising secondary raw material for the production of sustainable construction materials, particularly green mortars and concretes, through their partial replacement of natural sand in cementitious systems. Such applications are relevant to both hydraulically setting inorganic binders (cement-based materials) and alkali-activated cementitious materials (AACMs). The valorization of SG wastes offers multiple benefits, notably a dual environmental advantage: reducing the consumption of natural aggregates and diverting industrial waste from disposal by integrating it into a new life cycle as a value-added by-product. Additional potential advantages include reduced production costs and possible improvements in the overall performance of mortars and concretes. Despite these benefits, the use of SG as an aggregate replacement remains insufficiently explored, with existing studies providing only preliminary and fragmented evidence of its feasibility. This paper presents an overview of a comprehensive four-year research program investigating SG wastes derived from single-cycle AWJ processes and their incorporation into conventional mortars as partial fine aggregate replacement in cement-based construction composites. The validation stage of the performance assessment expands the range of SG sources by including new sampling from the original suppliers, enabling verification of the repeatability and reproducibility of earlier findings. A broad set of physical, mechanical, and durability properties—particularly resistance to freeze–thaw cycles—is evaluated to achieve a robust and comprehensive material characterization. These results are further correlated with chemical and microstructural analyses, providing critical insights to support the technological transfer of SG-based construction materials to industrial applications with reduced carbon footprint. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Civil Engineering: Circular Economy, Environmental Impact, and Tools Driving Transformation)
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24 pages, 2076 KB  
Article
Construction Waste Documentation System in Poland: Current State and Prospects for Automation
by Joanna Sagan and Paula Wojtaszek
Sustainability 2026, 18(1), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18010077 - 20 Dec 2025
Viewed by 867
Abstract
Efficient documentation and traceability of construction waste are essential for meeting the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy. In Poland, the national Database on Products, Packaging, and Waste Management (BDO) serves as the central platform for recording and reporting [...] Read more.
Efficient documentation and traceability of construction waste are essential for meeting the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy. In Poland, the national Database on Products, Packaging, and Waste Management (BDO) serves as the central platform for recording and reporting waste flows, including those generated by the construction sector. However, its current structure imposes substantial administrative burdens, particularly on large-scale projects involving thousands of waste transports. This study examines the documentation workflow within the BDO system as applied to construction activities. Using process mapping, field studies, and interviews, the research identifies key bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement, especially through automation enabled by the integration of external applications connected to BDO via its public Application Programming Interface (API). Among nine identified systems, one was selected due to its comprehensive functionalities tailored to construction-sector needs. A study involving thirty users demonstrated that implementation of this system reduced the time required to issue a Waste Transfer Card (KPO) by 77% and fully automated entries in the Waste Records Register (KEO). As a result, the average administrative workload decreased by 87%. For a representative demolition company generating approximately 46,000 KPOs annually, the total time savings correspond to 8.2 months of full-time administrative work. This reduction translates into annual savings exceeding PLN 47,000 and yields a return on investment of over 100% within the first year. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the system’s effectiveness decreases with lower documentation volumes. The findings confirm that targeted automation and improved interface design can significantly enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and transparency of construction waste documentation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Civil Engineering: Circular Economy, Environmental Impact, and Tools Driving Transformation)
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21 pages, 2563 KB  
Article
Real-Time LCA/LCC Integration: A Framework of Agile Sustainability and Cost Management
by Iaroslav Trofimenko, Yajing Chen, Ann-Katrin Müller, Urs Liebau and Agnetha Flore
Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9433; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219433 - 23 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2600
Abstract
In the context of increasing resource scarcity and pervasive uncertainty, informed economic decision-making requires access to timely and accurate information. Real-time sustainability monitoring tools, such as sensor- or RFID-based systems, have become essential to capture dynamic changes in production environments. Given the growing [...] Read more.
In the context of increasing resource scarcity and pervasive uncertainty, informed economic decision-making requires access to timely and accurate information. Real-time sustainability monitoring tools, such as sensor- or RFID-based systems, have become essential to capture dynamic changes in production environments. Given the growing importance of sustainability, evaluating the environmental impact of production systems through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is critical, while economic dimensions are typically addressed via Life Cycle Costing (LCC). However, conventional LCA and LCC approaches often rely on static or outdated data, limiting their applicability in dynamic environments. This paper presents an integrated framework for the real-time assessment of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC), utilizing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to facilitate continuous data collection throughout the production chain. By combining environmental and economic assessments with real-time data streams, the proposed framework supports more adaptive, transparent, and sustainable decision-making in resource-constrained industrial contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Civil Engineering: Circular Economy, Environmental Impact, and Tools Driving Transformation)
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