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Purpose: The EU Water Framework Directive (European Union Off J Eur Comm 2000) and EU Waste Framework Directive (European Union Off J Euro Union 2008) impacted the Beneficial Use (BU) of sediments in Europe. INTERREG has supported initiatives to change the perception that sediments are a waste. In this paper we provide an overview of tools, pilot sites and measuring techniques developed and used for the BU of sediments within seven European Union INTERREG projects. We illustrate the lessons learned regarding barriers and enablers for BU of sediments. Materials and methods: BU of sediments is a combination of factors. The following aspects are considered. The sediment must be suitable for use and be in engineering compliance. The sediment must also need to meet the end of waste criteria, as well as to be in environmental compliance. To check in the field if engineering and environmental compliance is feasible, on-site analyses and decision support tools are needed. When BU use is possible, there must be a benefit, either in an added socio-economic value or in ecosystem services. To define benefits the impact of Business as Usual (BAU) should also be expressed. Stakeholder perception and spatial restraints determine areas for BU of sediments with spatial consensus. Results and discussion: The pilots and case studies described in this paper are examples of different applications of BU of sediments in northwest Europe. The tools, equipment, pilot tests and on-site monitoring techniques developed by the identified INTERREG projects are useful as BU enablers, for both citizens (an enabler is what is in it for me versus a barrier like residents opposing to proposed developments in their local area or the Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) principle), and for regulators (what are the risks versus benefits as compared to BAU). Conclusions: The main barriers for beneficial use of sediments are the social acceptance when sediments are used on land (often seen as waste disposal) and the extra direct cost versus the cost for disposal, while indirect benefits such as the potential for nature development, the impact on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or more locally on the extra jobs created, are generally not considered. Also, the impact of BAU is often not explicitly considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beneficial use of dredged sediments, either in harbours or waterways, is based on their potential as alternative resources. Such sediments can be considered as bulk materials for industrial needs, which is predicated on their current waste status or meeting end-of-waste constraints. They also can be an integral part of beneficial use projects using sediments as a bulk component, including civil engineering and landscaping. This is particularly important for beneficial use projects focusing on climate change effects mitigation, such as flood protection works, coastline defence or littoral urban areas redevelopment. When dredged sediment is used as a bulk material, its acceptability is based on an assumed homogeneity of its properties. On-site analyses allow pre-dredging detailed mapping at a denser scale than laboratory ones; monitoring dredgings during operations and during processing; and continuous control of their properties at the implementation site. This is currently possible only for a selection of inorganic analytes. When dredgings are part of a larger beneficial use project, on-site analyses facilitate first the baseline survey and the sediment source characterisation. Continuous monitoring of the sediment load allows a fast detection of contamination hot spots and their adequate management. Site survey via on-site instruments allow end users and communities to check themselves the contamination level, hence acceptability is better. On-site dredged sediment analyses monitor both building properties and environmental compliance; soil and sediment analyses at receiving sites; surface and groundwater, either for impact assessment or for monitoring works. On-site instruments provide immediate results and allow dynamic or adaptive sampling strategies, as well as allowing operational decisions in real time. Confirmation by laboratory analyses is required for validation, but on-site sample screening for laboratory analyses improves their efficiency. The present paper was developed on the basis of an earlier presentation, which it developed and updated extensively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]