The present contribution to the Regional Editors themed issue offers a concise yet focused overview of some of the key technical and scientific issues, as well as of current trends and future challenges, related to the broad discipline of environmental geotechnics in the US region. Particular attention is devoted to current policy and societal drivers as well as future professional and research capacity requirements in critical areas such as innovative recycling and improvement of compost, construction and geologic materials; solid waste management, landfilling and geoenvironmental remediation techniques; and crucial geotechnical engineering aspects of renewable energy production, storage and distribution.