Nature-Based Solutions for a Cleaner Future: A Q&A on Sustainable Remediation

Traditional remediation methods have long focused on quick fixes like digging, dumping, and moving contamination elsewhere, but as environmental challenges grow and climate resilience, carbon footprint reduction, and long-term site stewardship become a priority, sustainable remediation is emerging as a smarter, more holistic approach to environmental remediation. In this Q&A, we hear from Jason Lagowski, Senior Consultant at Antea Group USA; and Gabriele Cerutti, Technology Leader Geologist at HPC Italy, to explore why sustainable remediation matters, what hurdles remain, and how collaboration and innovation are shaping the future of soil and groundwater cleanup.

Listen to the full podcast episode here.

Q&A 

Q: Why is it so important to prioritize sustainable remediation practices?  

Gabriele (Italy): 

Water and soil pollution is increasing dramatically and causes damage to the entire community. Many traditional technologies aim for quick intervention but often shift the problem or fail to fully consider recovery of environmental metrics. Modern sustainable remediation practices help reduce energy use, minimize waste, and support circularity across the project lifecycle. Sustainable remediation seeks to reduce consumption and enhance environmental metrics throughout the process. Every step of the project should achieve sustainable objectives.  

Jason (USA): 

We live on this planet, and personally, I’m a parent and a grandparent. I hope we’re smart enough to improve the environment for future generations. Doing it in a sustainable way just makes sense. It’s about improving outcomes, reducing long-term liability, and avoiding the “dig-and-dump” cycle that simply relocates contamination. It’s about better outcomes and improving quality of life, not moving a problem from one place to another. 

Q: How do you define sustainable remediation, and how does it differ across regions? 

Jason: 

Sustainable remediation looks at reducing carbon footprint and using more passive, natural approaches—like in-situ methods and green chemistry to degrade contaminants in place. It’s about lifecycle cost and aiming for zero waste outcomes. In the U.S., there’s still reluctance because sustainable approaches can take longer, and there’s a myth they cost more. Education and data-driven decision-making are key to accelerating adoption.

Gabriele: 

In Europe, especially Italy, traditional methods persist in industrial areas, but sustainable remediation is gaining ground in agricultural and public green sites. We see progress in codifying environmental and technical criteria for land recovery using biological technologies. Drivers include cost and the ability to reuse soil without transformation. 

Q: What’s the cost of inaction if organizations don’t adopt sustainable methods? 

Jason: 

In the U.S., we have a concept called cradle-to-grave. If you dig something up and move it, your liability doesn’t stop. It can follow you. Treating contamination in place extinguishes liability once endpoints are achieved. Plus, sustainable approaches reduce long-term risk. 

Gabriele: 

The cost is carbon emissions and loss of soil conservation. We should move as far as possible from carbon-consuming interventions. Nature often gives us the solution, we just need to understand it. 

Q: Are there emerging technologies we should watch? 

Gabriele: 

Phytoremediation is becoming one of the best solutions for certain sites, especially agricultural areas. It’s not without challenges, but it’s promising. 

Jason: 

Advancements in bacteria strains and fungi for bioremediation are exciting. For PFAS, we’re seeing linked technologies—separation, concentration, and destruction—that achieve zero waste outcomes. Innovation will continue to drive progress. 

Key Takeaways 

• Sustainable remediation reduces carbon footprint, protects human health and the environment, and supports circularity.
• Education and mindset shifts are critical to overcoming cultural and regulatory hurdles.
• Collaboration between stakeholders, universities, and global partners drives innovation.
• Emerging technologies like phytoremediation and PFAS destruction carry new potential. 

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