Issue 18, February 2006

Did you know the construction industry accounts for some 70% of all material flows on the earth? Furthermore, the energy used in constructing, occupying and operating buildings represents a large proportion of all greenhouse gas emissions in industrialized countries.

Opportunities exist for reducing the impact of construction materials on the environment and so contribute to sustainable buildings such as:

• Reducing the high level of waste from buildings.
  
  According to the Green Building Council of Australia about 40% of all wastes going to landfill are building waste. Research is being done to lower this level through changes in construction materials and methods of construction and demolition.
  
• Utilizing wastes to make construction materials.
  
  Non organic wastes such as fly ash are being considered for use in concrete.
  
• Reducing emissions during the production of construction materials.
  
  Building materials have embodied energy, that is the energy used during their manufacture. As large quantities of concrete are used in buildings, then this has a significant contribution to the embodied energy in a building.
  
  
  (Figure 1 – courtesy CSIRO)
  
  Portland cement accounts for more embodied energy than any other material used in the construction industry. It is the biggest single contributor to greenhouse gas, after the burning of fossil fuels. Research is being undertaken to lower the impact of Portland cement in construction.
  
• Sequestering carbon by using carbon containing materials.
  
  Waste organic fibres (e.g. wood fibre) are being used in some building materials.
  
• Using more durable materials in buildings.

New technologies are being sought for construction materials to enhance the sustainability of buildings. Cetec has conducted investigations into the recycling and utilization of waste furnishings from buildings.

Other related articles
Environmentally Sustainable Development
The Cost of Greening Buildings

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