Practicing sustainability in construction involves using materials that require little maintenance and don’t release toxic chemicals. These materials are made from natural resources, like wood or recycled paper.
Some are locally sourced, combatting the demand for lumber and deforestation. Other materials are manufactured from waste products, like plastic or glass.
Concrete
Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials in the world, but it’s not without its environmental footprint. Fortunately, companies like Solidia are working hard to reduce its carbon footprint by using alternative raw materials in the cement mix (such as fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and silica fume) as well as by heating it at a lower temperature and pumping in CO2 for the curing process.
Another way to reduce concrete’s ecological impact is by sourcing it locally. According to Greenspec, there is a ready mix concrete plant within ten miles of most UK construction sites, reducing the cost and energy needed for transportation.
Other sustainable building materials include rammed earth, which uses recycled tires and compacted soil to build walls and structures. It also serves as a natural insulator, regulating indoor temperatures and helping to conserve energy. Bamboo is another excellent sustainable material that’s strong, versatile, and promotes socioeconomic development in rural areas.
In addition to these innovative materials, recycling is a great way to keep waste out of landfills and create a more sustainable future. Plastic, for example, can be turned into an eco-friendly insulation material that saves energy and protects buildings from sound. Additionally, reclaimed wood fights demand for newly-sourced lumber and prevents deforestation.
TimberCrete
Concrete is a common construction material, but a new product called Timbercrete offers a sustainable alternative. Made from recycled sawdust, the material is lighter than traditional concrete and requires less energy to transport. It also uses fewer natural resources and reduces waste. Additionally, it is more thermally efficient and does not emit toxic gases when burned.
Another alternative to traditional building materials is rammed earth. The material can be used to build walls, retaining structures, and foundations, and it provides stability and durability. Rammed earth is also an eco-friendly choice, as it requires minimal energy to produce and uses natural materials that are readily available in most regions.
Other green building materials include adobe brick and straw bales. Adobe brick has been in use for centuries and can be built without the need for heavy equipment, such as a backhoe loader. The material combines clay, sand, and silt with organic material like dung or straw. It is fire resistant, absorbs and releases moisture to balance humidity levels, and prevents mold growth.
Straw bales are an affordable and durable alternative to gypsum, concrete, and plaster. They are easily stacked to form walls and provide insulation. In addition, straw is a renewable resource that can be replanted quickly and easily. Moreover, straw bales are fire retardant and do not release toxic gasses when burned.
Sheep’s Wool
Sheep’s wool is a sustainable building material that provides a high level of insulation for homes and businesses. It requires a minimal amount of energy to make, and it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals or pollutants. It also possesses natural fire-retardant properties and self-extinguishes. In addition, it’s a renewable resource that can be harvested without harming the sheep.
When used in the construction of buildings, sheep’s wool can reduce primary energy demand and CO2 emissions by up to 40%. It also helps reduce air pollution, especially in rural areas. Sheep’s wool is also an excellent insulator and can help save homeowners money on energy bills.
The embodied energy of sheep’s wool is also lower than other common materials, such as concrete and steel. The embodied energy of sheep’s woof is calculated using the life cycle assessment method. This method shows the energy consumption and CO2 emission associated with a product throughout its entire life cycle.
This study aims to develop an organized framework of the main possible applications of sheep wool fibers in the construction of different building components. Sheep’s wool is an eco-friendly material that can be used in many different ways, including as a thermal and mechanical insulation material and as a reinforcing fiber for composite. It can improve tensile and compressive strength, as well as flexural strength.
Pollution-Absorbing Brick
As the world’s population grows, pollution has become a major concern. It not only has detrimental effects on human health, but it also contributes to climate change by trapping carbon in the atmosphere and causing global warming. To counter this, architects and designers are turning to eco-friendly building materials. The pollution-absorbing brick is one such solution. This innovative brick from Kenoteq is made from recycled inert materials and aims to redefine sustainable construction. It can be used in interior and exterior applications and doesn’t require firing. This makes it much less carbon-intensive compared to traditional bricks, with a low-carbon footprint of only 5%.
The brick has a faceted design and includes shafts to support the structure. It is connected by a coupler and has a hopper at the base to collect polluting particles. This air-cleaning brick is suitable for affordable housing and disaster shelters. It can also be used in small municipalities and developing countries, as it doesn’t require complicated technology or skilled labour.
The global market for sustainable building materials is growing at a rapid pace. It is expected to surpass $610 billion by 2028, according to a recent report from Global Market Insights. The demand for energy-efficient buildings, rising construction in the Asia Pacific region, and supportive government policies are fueling this growth. In addition, increasing awareness about environmental issues and concerns regarding the use of conventional construction materials are driving the demand for alternative solutions.