Environmental Geotechnology, Recycled Waste Materials, and Sustainable Engineering (EGRWSE-2024) Conference
Since its inception in 2018, the Environmental Geotechnology, Recycled Waste Materials, and Sustainable Engineering (EGRWSE) conference has been a beacon for cutting-edge research and discussion in environmental geotechnics and sustainable engineering. Held at renowned research centers such as the University of Illinois at Chicago (USA), the National Institute of Technology in Jalandhar (India), and Dokuz Eylul University (Turkey), the conference series has consistently provided a platform for the presentation of pioneering work in the use of recycled materials in infrastructure, sustainable development technologies in construction, renewable energy, and environmental engineering.
The success of these conferences underscores the need for all engineering disciplines to integrate sustainability into their practices to improve the quality of life. The future demands green technologies, and engineers will play a critical role in developing these solutions. The UNESCO Engineering Initiative (UEI) is actively working with partners to develop engineering curricula that incorporate sustainability as a core theme, preparing the next generation of engineers to address global challenges.
EGRWSE-2024, which took place from July 4 to 6, 2024, was the fifth edition of this global conference. This edition focused on contemporary issues related to climate change and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through sustainable engineering. Key topics included the use of recycled materials in construction in line with circular economy principles, geoenvironmental pollution control, sustainable geoinfrastructure, geotechnics for renewable energy, and environmental geotechnics for climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The conference was organized by the team of Prof. Eugeniusz Koda from the Institute of Civil Engineering as part of the project “5th Environmental Geotechnology Recycled Waste Materials and Sustainable Engineering Conference” co-financed by the Ministry of Education and Science under the “Excellent Science” program – “Support for Scientific Conferences” module.
The conference was graced by prominent scientists in the fields of sustainable engineering and environmental geotechnics. Attendees had the opportunity to listen to inspiring speeches by Prof. Krishna R. Reddy of the University of Illinois Chicago (USA) on “Sustainable Adaptive Engineered Biochar for Multifaceted Geoenvironmental Applications”, Dr. Marc Ballouz on “Activities of the ISSMGE and “In Memoriam” of Michele Jamiolkowski dr h.c. SGGW”, Prof. Lyesse Laloui on “Soil Reinforcement based on Bio-Geo-Chemical Processes”, Prof. Claudio Cameselle on “Remediation of Pesticide Contaminated Soil with Biosurfactants Produced from Brewery Waste”, Prof. Katarzyna Zabielska-Adamska on “Industry By-products and Waste Materials in Geotechnical Engineering Applications”, Prof. Evan Paleologos on “Geoenvironmental Challenges of Critical Minerals for a Clean Energy Transition”, Prof. Magdalena Daria Vaverková on “Will We or Will We Not Be on Track with the Sustainable Development Goals – That is the Question? Focus on Waste Management”, Dr. Jan Retzlaff on “Improving the Environmental Performance of Geotechnical Works by Using Geosynthetics”, Prof. Andrea Dominijanni on “Risk Assessment for Sustainable Waste Disposal to Landfills”, Prof. Devendra Narain Singh on “Environmental Geomechanics: The Ecstasy Ahead” and Prof. Hanumantha Rao on “Conversion of Industrial Solid Wastes into Green Construction Materials for Sustainable Utilization”.
The ongoing success of the EGRWSE conferences is a testament to the collaborative spirit and dedication of the global engineering community to address the pressing environmental challenges of our time. As future editions are anticipated, there is a continued commitment to advancing research, fostering innovation, and promoting sustainable engineering practices for a better world.
