The building industry is responsible for a large portion of the world’s energy usage and produces dangerous emissions. Using sustainable materials can help reduce these effects.
One way to do this is by reusing existing materials. Reconditioning these materials allows them to last longer, reducing the need for replacement and lowering embodied carbon.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a man-made product that has many applications, including in construction. It is made up of glass strands that are interwoven and reinforced with resin. The resulting product is stronger and more durable than traditional materials like steel. It is also lighter in weight, which increases fuel efficiency in automotive and aerospace products. It is also corrosion resistant and can be molded into various shapes for use in industrial products.
Its insulating properties make fiberglass an ideal material for thermal insulation. It is also a popular choice for flooring in plating plants because of its anti-slip surface and ability to withstand harsh chemicals. In addition, it can be molded into different shapes to provide structural support for equipment and reduce vibrations.
The embodied environmental impacts of fiberglass have high uncertainty due to a lack of LCA studies for the material. The study identified the pre-use phase as a significant emissions hotspot, which leads to a higher emissions profile than is usually considered in building LCA. In the case of this building, it was estimated that the fiberglass construct would be discarded after its useful life and recycled into park benches or polls.
Cellulose
Cellulose is the major constituent of plant cell walls and is biosynthesized by prokaryotes and eukaryotes on a massive scale to form wood, cotton, and other natural products. It is also the most abundant biological polymer and serves as dietary fiber for animals that can digest it.
In 1838, French chemist Anselme Payen identified a fibrous component of plant tissues that resisted extraction with organic and aqueous solvents. He determined its molecular formula and described its linear structure. Cellulose is a covalently linked chain of glucose monomers connected via glycosidic bonds at their C1 and C4 positions. The chains are straight, lacking the coiling and branches found in starch, and form microfibrils that add tensile strength to plants.
Building insulation made from cellulose has lower environmental impacts than fiberglass or foam because it requires less embodied energy to produce. It also diverts paper waste from landfills, where it would decompose and release carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. In addition, cellulose insulation uses up to 85% recycled material, mostly post-consumer waste paper.
Cork
Cork is a natural, renewable and sustainable material that comes from the bark of the cork oak (Quercus suber). The process of harvesting the cork is done by hand by skilled traders who slice through the outer layer of the tree with a sharp axe, without harming the living cells underneath. The sliced cork layer then gets peeled away, and it is used for a variety of products, including wine stoppers, bulletin boards, floor and wall tiles, floats, and handles for woodwind instruments. It also has many other uses, such as thermal insulation and acoustic absorbency, seals for boats, submarines, theaters and recording studios, and even compression resistance in concrete structures (Gil, 2011).
Because the cork is harvested from the outside layer of the bark, it is a fully renewable and environmentally friendly material. The cork oak forests are also home to rare and endangered species of animals, including the Iberian lynx, and the trees themselves can live for over 250 years. Its unique cellular structure makes it lightweight, fire retardant, termite resistant, impermeable to gas and liquid, and buoyant, all while absorbing sound.
Concrete
Concrete is a defining material of the Anthropocene, but it’s also taking a hefty toll on the climate. The production of cement alone accounts for 8% of the world’s CO2 emissions. Researchers and governments must work with the concrete industry to slash its carbon footprint, driving the climate-resilient construction that the world sorely needs.
Cement is made from water mixed with aggregates like sand and gravel, bound together by Portland cement, which is baked in a kiln. Almost 80% of the energy used to fuel those kilns comes from fossil fuels, which is why decarbonizing concrete and cement production must be a priority.
Many states, including California and New York, have passed laws that require cement manufacturers to reduce their CO2 emissions. However, changing the ingredients of concrete poses significant engineering challenges and requires a massive overhaul of regulatory standards. It will take innovative cooperation models and a massive effort from all stakeholders to accelerate technological changes. Fortunately, public agencies often buy up to a third of the concrete produced each year, which gives them leverage to drive change.
Straw Bale
Straw bale building is a form of natural construction that utilizes straw bales for either structural elements or insulation. This technique has experienced a recent renaissance, with multiple buildings of varying sizes now constructed using straw bales.
Straw-bale walls are highly insulated, resulting in lower energy bills. This building method also performs much better in earthquakes, is resistant to pests/vermin and provides a healthier indoor environment than traditional stick frame homes.
The use of natural hydraulic lime plaster makes these walls easy to work with and offers a long-term, durable coating that is breathable. Straw-bale walls must be carefully designed, as they are prone to settling and moisture buildup, which can cause the structure to weaken.
This is particularly true of non-load-bearing straw bale construction, where the bales act as infill between a timber frame structure and the exterior weather barrier. The bales should be properly inspected for signs of damage, and the wall must be properly protected from moisture with plastic sheeting or another moisture barrier system. This is important, as prolonged moisture will lead to the growth of fungus that could undermine the integrity of the structure.