While most people think of vehicles and factories when they hear the word carbon emissions, buildings also contribute significantly. Traditional construction materials like concrete require high energy consumption to produce and use.
Choosing sustainable alternatives to these conventional building materials can help reduce the environmental impact of construction projects. One way to do this is through the use of eco-friendly insulation, such as rammed earth and recycled plastic lumber.
Bamboo
Unlike hardwood timber, bamboo is able to grow in just four to seven years making it a quick alternative that can ease the pressure on natural forests [14]. The plant grows faster than most tree species, and after harvesting, it is able to resprout and continue to sequester carbon. In addition, it requires little soil disturbance and can absorb moisture, making it a regenerative resource that provides a long-term income source for farmers.
Bamboo is a popular construction material across Asia and Australia. Known for its strength-to-weight ratio, the material is used to build everything from storm-drainage pipes to bullet train carriages. Currently, there is a global green movement that is utilizing bamboo to combat climate change and poverty.
The solution to climate change and poverty starts with sustainable resources and green construction. Bamboo is one of the most sustainable building materials, and it can provide a variety of benefits to impoverished communities around the world.
Climate change and lack of adequate shelter are major threats to communities worldwide, causing poverty and suffering for millions of people. Many of these people live in regions prone to extreme weather events such as floods, cyclones and drought. By using bamboo as a building material, these communities can build resilient and affordable houses. In addition, bamboo products can provide an income for families, particularly women, who typically carry out artisanal work.
Green Concrete
Concrete is responsible for a significant percentage of the construction industry’s carbon emissions each year. It produces a tremendous amount of pollution during extraction, manufacturing, and transportation and requires a substantial amount of energy.
Using green concrete can significantly reduce these numbers. Rather than using raw materials, such as limestone, clay, and shale, which require considerable mining operations, builders can use supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), like fly ash, silica fume, and post-consumer glass, that have a lower embodied energy. These SCMs add strength and durability to the concrete while reducing its environmental footprint.
Another approach to lowering the environmental impact of concrete is through the use of carbon capture and sequestration technologies. These involve capturing and chemically mineralizing the CO2 released during the manufacturing process. This carbon is then incorporated into the concrete and will be locked away in buildings, roads, and other infrastructure for decades to come.
Many of these low-carbon building materials can be sourced locally, which helps to mitigate climate change and improve overall efficiency. However, it is important to consider regional nuances and construction standards when determining the best solution. Governments, as major buyers of concrete for public projects, should implement policies and protocols that incentivize and even force the use of these new materials. This will help to drive market demand for these new low-carbon concrete mixes and create a more sustainable building industry.
Recycled Plastic Lumber
The building industry generates a significant amount of carbon emissions, with operational carbon emissions from heating and cooling making up the majority. However, there is a major opportunity to reduce embodied carbon emissions arising from the production of materials like concrete, steel, and insulation. These embodied emissions are often overlooked as they are the result of energy-intensive manufacturing processes. The good news is that new, more sustainable building materials are becoming available that offer low embodied carbon footprints.
One example is recycled plastic lumber, which does not need treatment to protect it from water damage and can be used for a range of applications. It also does not fluctuate in weight, unlike traditional timber, and thus cuts down on the emissions created by delivering it to the construction site.
Plastic lumber is particularly suitable for marine-related construction projects as it can be used to construct piers, docks, and other structures that must stand up to the elements. It is also completely waterproof, so it does not need to be treated with chemicals that run the risk of leaching into the surrounding ecosystems and causing harm to humans and animals. The material can even be used to build bridges, as it is much stronger than wood and can withstand the strain of heavy vehicles. In addition, it is lighter than concrete, which cuts down on transportation costs and emissions.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a group of six fibrous silicate minerals. When ingested, they cause serious health problems, including lung cancer and mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lungs).
As a fire retardant and insulator with low electrical conductivity, asbestos was widely used in American industry from the late 1800s through the 1970s, particularly for building and construction, manufacturing, and power generation. It was also used in shipbuilding and to strengthen cement and plastics. Today, new products are not made with asbestos, but older ones may contain it in the form of fibers or compounds. Asbestos continues to be mined in Russia, China, and other nations and is still used in some countries around the world.
Many manufacturers knew that asbestos was dangerous, but they kept using it anyway because they were making a lot of money. Over time, medical research linked the mineral to many diseases, and the use of it eventually stopped in the United States.
To avoid exposure to asbestos, workers should wear gloves when handling it. When sampling asbestos, shut off heating and cooling systems and place a plastic sheet on the floor below the sample area to minimize the spread of any released asbestos. In addition, wetting the material with a mist of water and detergent before taking a sample can reduce release. Work health and safety laws require employers to eliminate or reduce worker exposure to hazardous substances.