Environmental benefits of re-using excavated soil flows: The case of Luxembourg

The management of soil excavated during construction can lead to substantial environmental impact, especially in Luxembourg, where high per capita soil waste and limited landfill capacity intensify the challenge. This study employs an ad hoc spatially resolved model to assess the environmental impacts of current excavated soil management practices in Luxembourg from a life cycle perspective. It compares these impacts with alternative scenarios, where excavated soil is reproposed as substrate for nature-based solution (NbS) projects rather than backfilled. This model enables the design of prospective environmental impact reduction scenarios, highlighting that most alternative management practices –particularly those involving transportation distances under 50 km– can significantly reduce environmental impacts, mitigate landfill use and decrease the overall environmental footprint by ~18 % to ~92 % depending on the impact indicator. Findings support circular economy strategies for excavated soil recovery in Luxembourg, such as the development of green spaces and recreational areas.