The major achievements obtained in the field of self-propagating reactions exploited for environmental protection are reviewed. In particular, the fixation and consolidation of high level radioactive wastes (RAWs), the treating and recycling of a highly toxic solid waste from electrolytic zinc plants, the recycling of silicon sludge and aluminum dross produced by semiconductor industries and aluminum foundries, respectively, and the degradation of chlorinated aromatics are addressed. Future scientific and technological directions related to this promising field of reaction engineering are foreseen.