One of which is being one of the biggest consumers of new materials, which leads to a large amount of waste production annually. Climate change and non-renewable resources means more and more construction firms are opting for greener solutions to decrease their environmental impact over time.
Here, we will go over some of the reasons change is needed in this sector, and also discuss some of the solutions currently available to construction companies in today’s construction landscape.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WE FACE WHEN BUILDING UNSUSTAINABLY?
A negative environmental impact can be seen in three ways: the use of non-renewable raw materials, the detriment of biodiverse land, and the created waste of excess non-biodegradable materials. Not only do the materials present a problem when building unsustainably, but the land built upon should be taken into account as well for its long-term ecological impact.
Building costs also play a major factor in the choice to build sustainably, and it can be tempting to build using lower-cost materials. However, choosing lower-cost materials lends to the lifetime costs of the building, as cutting corners budget-wise now will mean replacing and renovating sooner rather than later.
Lastly, the human element – with most humans spending the majority of their time working indoors in their lifetime, a poorly built building can lead to long-term health problems, high building maintenance due to human-induced wear and tear, and an increased cost of cooling and heating of the building for the comfort of its occupants.
HOW CAN WE COMBAT THIS?
BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS
Using biodegradable materials in construction has a wealth of benefits, such as safer and more ethical waste disposal, improved health in the residents of the building, and a more ethical harvesting and creation process of the materials.
RECYCLED MATERIALS
Recycled building materials have a positive impact on the planet and the environment by helping to reduce and repurpose waste, and in some cases, can also be more cost-effective than new materials.
SUSTAINABLE NEW MATERIALS
Products such as hempcrete (an alternative to concrete, made from wood fibre of the hemp plant core), bamboo (known for its incredible quick growth rate of nearly 3 feet in 24 hours), and green insulation (often made from newspaper and other safe paper materials) are a suitable option for building with as the removal of them from the environment poses little to no risk to the ecological impact. As mentioned before, the regeneration of such materials is also at a much higher rate than traditional materials, making it a great green option.
BUILDING ON LAND WITH LITTLE ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE
As opposed to felling trees and removing flora and fauna (and the wildlife that goes along with it), building on land with little value environmentally is a sustainable and cost-effective choice to reduce your carbon footprint. In many cases, it can also be a more affordable option as well, making it a viable option for many construction projects.
SOLAR PANEL INCORPORATION
Solar energy is one of the most sustainable building technologies available on the market. It is gaining in popularity due to the fact that not only does it produce electricity and lighting, it can also be used to heat water and cool buildings, and its energy source (heat from the sun) is unlimited. Producing zero greenhouse gas emissions, solar panels are an extremely eco-friendly alternative to traditional methods of energy.
It’s clear: the future of construction is green. With so many options on the market, there has never been a better time to turn to greener methods of building. Not only will the earth reap the benefits of using eco-friendly materials, the inhabitants of the buildings will also enjoy cleaner living, less pollution, and the added health benefits of sustainable materials.
Book a demo with the Traqspera team today to learn about how we can help you easily track your assets with our tool tracking app.
