A review of initiatives to transform the global sand system

Sand is the most consumed commodity on Earth. Yet its extraction is inherently unsustainable because of key factors such as its non-renewable nature and the lack of readily available substitutes in the current industrial milieu. Indiscriminate sand extraction has severe consequences for ecosystems and the people who depend on them. Despite increased attention over the past few years from the academic community, much of the existing sand literature remains problem-oriented and focused on sand supply, limiting our ability to envision and implement sustainable alternatives. To address this gap, we conducted a scoping review, focusing on solutions to the sand crisis within the scientific literature. We identified 266 articles that shed light on alternative materials, and innovative practices within the built environment. Our findings reveal a diverse array of promising initiatives, classified as “sand seeds,” which have the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of sand extraction while supporting economic and social benefits. However, the literature also highlights challenges in scaling these solutions and integrating them into mainstream practices to achieve transformative change. Identifying and assessing these seeds offers a foundation for scholars and policy makers to propose and implement sustainable alternatives to current sand extraction practices. Future research should adopt participatory and transdisciplinary approaches to examine how these seeds are influenced by the funding landscape, synergies across sectors, or competing uses that could influence material choices in the built environment.