Implementation of a Green and Sustainable Concept to Evaluate Footprint and Optimize Contaminated Site Remediation in China: A Case Study

In this study, the application mode and evaluation methods of green and sustainable remediation (GSR) were investigated in a soil remediation project. On-site equipment, materials, and energy usage were recorded, and environmental footprints were calculated using qualitative and semiquantitative methods. Replacement of equipment with appropriate power, reduction of redundant drive routes, increase of the reuse ratio of on-site and off-site materials, and optimization of remediation among other improvements should be implemented. Conventionally, the total air pollutant emission, water consumption, energy use, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission were 1,682 kg, 3,093 t, 249.5 MWh, and 320 t CO2e, respectively. Furthermore, on basis of 10 best management practices (BMPs) selected, the all-life cycle of the project was optimized using the GSR concept by eliminating inappropriate practices; redundant drive route was reduced by 19.8% using ArcGIS and TravellerAPP, while the reuse ratio and remediation method were theoretically optimized. Environmental footprint and accident risk of remediation were sharply reduced based on a combination of BMPs and quantitative evaluation. Air pollutant emission, hazardous gas, water, and energy consumption were reduced by 46.2%, 50.8%, 28.3%, and 40.5%, respectively, and GHG emission decreased by 147.4 t. Finally, confronting barriers and recommendations for GSR administration particularly in developing countries were summarized. This study theoretically and practically applied the GSR concept to an actual project in China. Association of on-site data with remediation activities and its optimization can provide technical and administrative support for GSR development and engineering practices.