ABSTRACT

The construction of mega infrastructure projects involving underground work generates massive amounts of tunnel spoil. For sustainable development, it is essential that the generated spoil is not regarded as waste, but as a recyclable material with potential benefits to social, economic, and environmental sustainability. However, a comprehensive understanding of the challenges associated with spoil reuse is crucial to improve the current spoil-reuse scenario. This paper presents in-depth research into the current state, challenges, and future directions of tunnel spoil reuse and recycling, framed within the perspective of sustainability. We conducted a systematic literature review, incorporating descriptive and thematic analyses of 74 research articles published between 1999–2023, and focusing on four research themes: the importance of tunnel spoil reuse and recycling, underlying prerequisites, effective approaches for reuse and recycling, and governance mechanisms. This literature review serves as a resource for researchers exploring further avenues in spoil reuse and offers practical guidance for its effective management.