Closing the global sand circularity gap needs a systems approach

Cao, Z., Chu, C., Liu, J., Su, X., Zhong, X., & Behrens, P. (2025). Closing the global sand circularity gap needs a systems approach. One Earth 8 (2) e101199. 10.1016/j.oneear.2025.101199.

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Abstract

Sand is the most-mined mineral globally and yet demand is set to increase. With significant environmental and societal consequences driven by sand extraction, facilitating sand circularity to maximize the reuse and recycling of aggregates, particularly from waste from construction and demolition, where sand is primarily used, becomes imperative. However, a systemic understanding of such reuse and recycling potential toward achieving circularity remains underexplored. In this review, we investigate this potential by examining the existing literature to evaluate the difference between the inflow (demand) and the outflow (end-of-life for reuse and recycling) of concrete aggregates. Although end-of-life aggregates are projected to increase nearly five-fold by 2060, they continue to fall short of demand by 11.4 Gt. This disparity, coupled with low rates of secondary aggregate use, will likely perpetuate the sand circularity gap for decades, especially in lower-income regions. Bridging this gap demands a comprehensive systems approach with significant coordination among stakeholders.

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