The building and construction industry generates enormous amounts CO2 emissions. To counteract this impact and to reduce the quantity of landfilled mineral waste in Austria,
the Christian Doppler Laboratory GECCO2 attempts to generate highly resistant environmentally friendly waste-based geopolymer building and construction materials. These geopolymers, also referred to as alkali-activated materials, are utilized based on the specific material properties. One example is their use in chemically aggressive waste systems. Therefore, potential unexploited Austrian mineral waste and secondary raw material (SRM) streams are examined by various chemical, mineralogical and environmental characterization methods and techniques. The results are then used to compare the mineralogical and geochemical patterns of the waste and SRMs. These patterns define respective material categories and enable the development of a portfolio of Austrian mineral waste materials and SRMs. Subsequently, their suitability and recycling potential through geopolymerization are reviewed.