Public Policy in Israel for the Regulation of Surplus Soil and Construction Waste

The accelerated development of Israel’s construction and infrastructure sectors, driven by rapid demographic growth, has led to significant increases in construction waste and surplus soil. Despite formal policy commitments to sustainability and circular economy principles, waste management in Israel remains characterized by fragmented governance, infrastructure gaps, and insufficient enforcement. This study analyzes Israel’s public policy for regulating surplus soil and construction waste through a mixed-methods approach combining policy document analysis and quantitative data from government reports. Findings reveal a persistent gap between policy goals and implementation outcomes, reflected in rising waste volumes, limited treatment capacity, and ongoing illegal dumping. Although recent years show improvement in waste delivery to authorized facilities and recycling rates, treatment infrastructure remains insufficiently distributed, enforcement resources limited, and institutional coordination weak. A national economic assessment demonstrates that full adoption of circular economy practices could yield significant annual savings primarily by reducing reliance on landfilling and decreasing natural resource extraction. Using a multilevel governance, adaptive policy, and circular economy lens, the study identifies systemic barriers and highlights the need for integrated planning, strengthened cross-agency cooperation, digital monitoring, and economic incentives. The findings contribute to the literature on environmental policy and sustainable planning, offering actionable recommendations for enhancing regulatory capacity and transitioning from reactive waste management to a proactive, resource-efficient model aligned with long-term national sustainability goals.