The generation of waste in present situation ascertains the need for effective waste treatment. The application of waste in geotechnical construction works has been strongly recommended based on a viewpoint of the environmental geotechnics. In order to fulfill the technical,  environmental and economical concerns, the specific criteria, designated as NICE criteria, was proposed as a guideline for the overall evaluation of wastes prior to their utilization. Many wastes were generally in agreement with NICE criteria and showed promising usage in geotechnical construction works with a wide range of applications. An overview of the research and development of recent decades on utilization of various kinds of waste is provided systematically. The intermediate treatment techniques for the geotechnical utilization are listed with their applicability to construction engineering field. Finally, the possible environmental impact during the reuse of waste is discussed. It should be noticed that the term waste is used here in a wide perspective, including different kinds of residues, with potential for utilization. In some countries the term waste is only used for materials that have to be disposed in a controlled manner, or may only be utilized after treatment to a “product”.