Significant developments in the UK and Europe over the last decade in the use of waste materials in coastal structures are explained. The requirements for such materials given their likely context of use are set out. Specific information is given on the application of recycled timber and secondary and recycled aggregates and the paper concludes with a more detailed case study based around the re-use of tyres. 2004 1 HRPP 315Developments in the use of recycled and secondary materials in coastal structures