The growing interest in the development of alternatives to the use of traditional binders in geotechnical applications, such as cement and lime, is largely due to the environmental challenges and associated costs in this type of applications. Alkali-activated binders emerge as one of the most sustainable alternatives, particularly because of their low energy consumption and in theory the low carbon footprint in their manufacture. In addition, this type of binders have the possibility of using industrial waste and by-products as precursor materials in their production process. This article presents a state of the art of the various materials conventionally used in the chemical stabilization of soils and performs a review of published articles in relation to the implementation of alkali-activated binders. The technical feasibility, the environmental impacts associated, the challenges that must be overcome in order to position them as a sustainable alternative for geotechnical processes, and the advantages and disadvantages of its application are considered.