Recycling of geotextiles: A collaborative approach to enhance circularity in construction

The construction sector is a major contributor to waste in Europe, producing over 850 million tonnes annually, with polymer-based materials like geosynthetics significantly underrepresented in circular economy (CE) strategies. This study analyses a groundbreaking initiative in the Netherlands that successfully recycled 500,000 m² of geotextiles from temporary construction roads. Employing innovative recycling technologies, including an innovative recycling process, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration among project owners, contractors, manufacturers, and recyclers, the project demonstrated the technical feasibility of geotextile recovery and reuse. Inspired by Mariana Mazzucato’s mission-oriented innovation framework, the initiative prioritized directionality, additionality, and spillovers to address systemic challenges. Key outcomes included reduced CO 2 eq emissions, resource conservation, and reintegration of recycled granulates into production cycles. While economic and technical barriers, such as the high content of soil and cost disparities, remain, this initiative exemplifies the transformative potential of CE principles when coupled with innovation and stakeholder cooperation. This case study provides a replicable model for tackling waste challenges in polymer-based materials, advancing CE practices in large-scale infrastructure projects, and contributing to broader sustainability objectives within the construction industry and beyond.