Sediment Management in a Circular economy
Type:
Presented during:
CEDA Dredging Days 2024
Authors:
P.D. de Boer
Abstract
Sediments are materials of varying size of mineral and organic origin. Sediment has a strategic role in delivering ecosystem services [1], vital infrastructure for economic development, providing livelihoods within communities and maintaining biodiversity. Sediments link to all 17 sustainable development goals of the UN. Although still abundant now, sediments are becoming increasingly scarce [2]. Worldwide but also in the Netherlands. The Dutch coastline and riverbeds are eroding and the soil (in polders) is slowly sinking, whilst the sea level rises. This endangers the Netherlands and its infrastructure. This makes clear that, it is very important to manage sediments in a sustainable way. Not only in the Netherlands but also worldwide. As shown in Figure 1, the societal challenges on Climate Change, Biodiversity loss, Pollution and availability of resources all come together in a Circular Economy (CE). Therefore, a CE is not a goal on itself but a tool for reaching the sustainability goals. To be more precise, CE is about the sustainable use of scarce raw materials. As sediments are.
Keywords: Circular Economy, Sustainability, Sediment, Dredging, Regulations