Builders are embracing the sustainable trend and catering to eco-conscious consumers. With climate change prompting a shift in consumer preferences, there's a growing demand for eco-friendly materials and construction methods. Given that the construction sector significantly affects the environment through landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions, builders are taking proactive steps.

They're actively seeking out sustainable building materials to combat surface-level and atmospheric pollution. Manufacturers are increasingly producing low-impact construction materials to minimize environmental harm. Construction experts can leverage these materials to develop eco-friendly properties.

The Rise of Sustainable Construction

The sustainable construction sector is on the rise, driven by eco-conscious consumers. Studies reveal that nearly 60% of consumers are willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly products and services, with more people opting for sustainable alternatives over environmentally harmful options.

To meet this growing demand, construction professionals are prioritizing the use of low-impact materials. Additionally, government regulations play a crucial role in shaping sustainable construction practices.

Construction stands as one of the largest contributors to global pollution, accounting for approximately 39% of annual greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Much of these emissions stem from material manufacturing and transportation. However, by embracing sustainable building materials, companies can significantly reduce their carbon footprints.

Find a Certified Supplier

Locating certified suppliers is key for builders aiming to procure sustainable building materials. Among the eco-friendly labels available, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification is noteworthy, particularly for paper and wood products.

Another significant certification in the realm of building materials is provided by GreenGuard. This certification focuses on regulating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful contaminants. By opting for materials with low or no VOCs, builders can safeguard both human health and the environment.

VOCs play a role in the formation of ground-level ozone when combined with vehicle emissions, contributing to smog formation and subsequently affecting natural habitats and air quality. Utilizing low- or non-VOC materials presents a significant opportunity for enhancing a building's sustainability.

Look for Sustainable Characteristics

Construction professionals have the opportunity to enhance project sustainability by prioritizing eco-friendly material attributes. Seeking out durable and low-maintenance materials during project preparation stages can significantly contribute to this goal. Such materials tend to have longer lifespans and result in reduced municipal solid waste (MSW) generation.

Moreover, opting for products manufactured using renewable energy sources is another effective approach. Building materials produced using clean electricity exhibit markedly smaller carbon footprints. Similarly, selecting materials with low-emission delivery services can further mitigate environmental impact.

For instance, some companies have adopted electric vehicles (EVs) for transporting their products, thereby emitting zero tailpipe emissions and curbing air pollution. Additionally, sourcing materials from local manufacturers helps minimize transportation emissions.

Embracing construction materials crafted from recycled resources offers a more sustainable alternative to their newly manufactured counterparts. This approach helps eliminate resource exploitation and various forms of environmental degradation. Furthermore, prioritizing materials free from contaminants ensures environmental protection throughout their entire lifecycle.

Use the Life-Cycle Assessment Tool

Builders can leverage the life-cycle assessment tool to procure sustainable materials effectively. This tool evaluates the environmental impacts of products across their entire life cycle, encompassing pre-consumer stages, current utilization, and post-consumer phases. By utilizing the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) system, professionals can conduct thorough evaluations of materials, offering reassurance regarding their environmental sustainability.

The life-cycle assessment tool delves into various aspects of building materials, scrutinizing factors such as overall energy consumption, spanning from extraction to landfill processing. Furthermore, it predicts emissions associated with manufacturing and distribution processes.

Builders have the option to obtain life-cycle assessment results from material manufacturers or conduct their own assessments. These insights aid in assessing the environmental implications of construction projects and enable the calculation of a project's carbon footprint.

Support the Circular Economy

Construction experts can prioritize sustainability by incorporating recycled building materials into their projects. Repurposing materials significantly reduces environmental impact by minimizing resource exploitation and the need for mining practices.

Concrete stands out as one of the most ubiquitous building materials worldwide, yet it contributes to nearly 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. To mitigate this impact, construction professionals are increasingly turning to concrete recycling methods to reduce its substantial carbon footprint.

Recycling centers employ large-scale impactors to break down concrete materials, albeit generating dust as a byproduct. However, before converting it into blocks, they often remove additives and contaminants from the dust.

Moreover, broken cement can find innovative uses such as creating semi-permeable paving, integrating it into landscaping features, or constructing wire-gabion walls. These applications demonstrate the versatility and sustainability of recycled building materials in construction projects.

Letting Go of Unsustainable Building Materials

Builders are reducing their environmental impact by moving away from unsustainable building practices. Conducting an audit helps identify key sustainability challenges, pinpointing areas where energy loss occurs.

Lifecycle assessments of materials allow construction professionals to gauge their sustainability performance. Identifying the least sustainable materials enables them to replace them with eco-friendly alternatives. Additionally, implementing eco-conscious training programs for employees helps minimize material waste and air pollution, fostering a culture of sustainability within construction teams.

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