Green building materials offer a range of benefits to the construction industry and environment. These include environmental conservation, reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, reduced waste production, improved indoor air quality and health.
For example, using eco-friendly framing materials like bamboo and straw bales reduces the need for traditional timber that requires deforestation and the negative environmental consequences that come with it. Also, green concrete uses industrial byproducts and less cement to minimize carbon footprint and energy consumption.
Recycled Materials
The construction industry is responsible for a large share of carbon emissions, so incorporating eco-friendly materials into projects can significantly cut down on pollution and resource depletion. Choosing green building materials, such as bamboo, recycled plastic lumber and green concrete, helps reduce the use of fossil fuels and contributes to a more sustainable future.
Pre-consumer recycled materials are an important part of many green construction products, including flooring and insulation. Using recycled materials such as paper and cellulose insulation, wool insulation and even recycled denim insulation helps reduce waste and provides high performance and durable solutions.
Another benefit of recycled construction materials is that they often require less energy to produce than traditional materials, thus reducing the overall carbon footprint. In addition, these materials are often more durable and longer-lasting than their traditional counterparts, leading to reduced maintenance and replacement costs over time.
Incorporating recycled construction materials also helps promote environmental consciousness among occupants and supports a more sustainable economy. This trend is reflected in the rising demand for environmentally conscious buildings that are known to have better indoor air quality and health benefits. HBN’s research into common contaminants in different recycled feedstocks can help manufacturers who use recycled content determine what chemicals of concern should be screened for in their incoming material and also inform product or building certifications about what could be in mixed recycled content where the composition is otherwise unknown.
Biodegradable Materials
Unlike non-biodegradable materials that do not break down and stay in the environment for a long time, biodegradable products decompose over time into simpler, soluble substances. These can be easily absorbed into the soil, providing microorganisms with a source of nutrients. In addition, they help reduce litter and create a greener planet by reducing the amount of waste that is sent to landfills and on streets and beaches.
Biodegradable materials are often made from renewable raw materials or all-natural plant and animal sources such as orange peels, corn oil, switchgrass, soybeans, microorganisms, and starch. In the manufacturing process, they save energy by using natural processes instead of traditional petrochemicals. These are a great alternative to plastic and styrofoam, which are a major cause of environmental pollution.
Some bioplastics are designed to break down quickly, and many contain additives that speed up the breakdown process. However, most need high temperature industrial composting to break down, and few cities have the facilities needed to handle this kind of waste. If not disposed of properly, bioplastics can contaminate recycled plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), harming recycling infrastructure. Therefore, it is important to separate biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials and discard them separately.
Natural Materials
Many green building materials are sourced from natural, renewable resources that can be used over again. These are also typically more durable and less toxic than synthetic materials. For example, using recycled pavers and gravel in place of new concrete and wood, or reclaimed timber as decking reduces the need for virgin materials. Natural building materials are also often sourced locally, which reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation.
Another important criteria for green materials is that they must have a low “embodied energy,” which means that they require relatively little energy to produce. For instance, a straw bale home requires very little energy to construct and can be filled with almost any material that provides both insulation and thermal mass. Other examples of sustainable materials include rammed earth construction, which uses a mixture of clay, soil, and sand; or cordwood construction, in which short pieces of wood are packed together like shingles to provide insulation and structure.
These innovative green construction materials have the potential to revolutionize the future of the construction industry. As regulations and consumer demand continue to focus on sustainability, it is only a matter of time before these eco-friendly materials become the norm in the industry. These eco-friendly materials can offer a variety of benefits, including reduced environmental impact, increased energy efficiency, and improved indoor air quality.
Renewable Materials
As the name implies, renewable materials are replenished within a reasonable timeframe, which helps reduce environmental impact. These materials also typically require less maintenance than conventional building materials, which means they have a lower carbon footprint overall.
Some of the most common green construction materials include cellulose insulation, which is made from recycled paper; sheep’s wool, which provides excellent insulation and regulates moisture; and even old denim jeans, which are used as an environmentally responsible alternative to fiberglass insulation. Other renewable materials are the byproducts of crops, such as bamboo, sugarcane bagasse, sunflower husks and walnut shells, which are turned into agrifiber boards that are stronger than wood boards and offer the same performance.
These eco-friendly materials can be used for flooring, insulation, millwork and casework. Many are grown domestically and can qualify a project for LEED credit in the Rapidly Renewable and Local Materials categories. For example, the CCI Center in Pittsburgh, PA, utilizes cork, bamboo and linoleum flooring as well as straw-core structural insulated panels and natural agrifiber wall panels to meet its LEED-NC Silver certification.
Many of these green building materials also feature energy efficiency characteristics that can save a significant amount of money for occupants over the lifetime of the project. As the demand for green construction continues to grow, manufacturers are focusing on developing innovative products that will minimize environmental impacts and contribute to a sustainable future.