There is growing global interest in maximising the re‐use and recycling of waste, to minimise the environmental impacts associated with waste treatment and disposal. Use of high‐volume wastes in the production of blended or novel cements (including alkali‐activated cements) is well known as a key pathway by which these wastes can be re‐used. This paper presents a critical overview of the urban, agricultural, mining and industrial wastes that have been identified as potential precursors for the production of alkali‐activated cement materials, or that can be effectively stabilised/solidified via alkali activation, to assure their safe disposal. The central aim of this review is to elucidate the potential advantages and pitfalls associated with the application of alkali‐activation technology to a wide variety of wastes that have been claimed to be suitable for the production of construction materials. A brief overview of the generation and characteristics of each waste is reported, accompanied by identification of opportunities for the use of alkali‐activation technology for their valorisation and/or management. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry