Embankments for Transportation Infrastructure as a Pathway for Valorisation of Incineration Bottom Ash and Mine Tailings

The growing demand for granular materials in transportation infrastructure increases the extraction of natural aggregates and the environmental impacts of the construction sector. At the same time, large volumes of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash (IBA) and mine tailings (MTs) are generated and stored, posing environmental and geotechnical challenges. This review critically evaluates the potential of these waste streams as alternative materials for transportation infrastructure embankments, including zoned embankment approaches, that may enhance sustainability. The analysis integrates evidence on physical, geotechnical, and environmental performance, including compaction, compressibility, shear strength, permeability, bearing capacity, chemical composition, leaching, and ecotoxicity. IBA generally exhibits favourable engineering properties, although its performance depends on ageing and pre-treatment. MTs show greater variability, with behaviour largely controlled by mineralogy, particle-size distribution, and contaminant mobilisation potential. Environmental assessment should consider total chemical composition alongside leaching behaviour, ecotoxicity, and exposure conditions. Overall, the safe use of IBA and MTs requires an integrated evaluation of geotechnical and environmental performance, enabling their selective placement within functional embankment zones. Such approaches can support circular resource use and more sustainable transportation infrastructure without compromising technical performance.