COURTESY : nhabitat.com
Green construction material
Concrete is a material that quite literally holds our cities together. From homes and apartment buildings to bridges, viaducts, and sidewalks, this ubiquitous gray material’s importance to modern urban life is undeniable. But you might have heard that it also has a dirty secret: the production of commercial concrete materials releases tons of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere each year, contributing to the calamity that is climate change. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We have collated 11 green building materials that offer alternatives to concrete, and a lower environmental impact.
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1. Straw Bales
Rather than relying on new research and technology, straw bale building hearkens back to the days when homes were built from natural, locally-occurring materials. Straw bales are used to create a home’s walls inside of a frame, replacing other building materials such as concrete, wood, gypsum, plaster, fiberglass, or stone. When properly sealed, straw bales naturally provide very high levels of insulation for a hot or cold climate, and are not only affordable but sustainable as straw is a rapidly renewable resource.
2. Grasscrete
As its name might indicate, grasscreteis a method of laying concrete flooring, walkways, sidewalks, and driveways in such a manner that there are open patterns allowing grass or other flora to grow. While this provides the benefit of reducing concrete usage overall, there’s also another important perk — improved stormwater absorption and drainage.
3. Rammed Earth
What’s more natural than the dirt under your feet? In fact, walls that have a similar feel to concrete can actually be created with nothing more than dirt tamped down very tightly in wooden forms. Rammed earth is a technology that has been used by human civilization for thousands of years, and can last a very long time. Modern rammed earth buildings can be made safer by use of rebar or bamboo, and mechanical tampers reduce the amount of labor required to create sturdy walls.
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4. HempCrete
Hemp Crete is just what it sounds like – a concrete like material created from the woody inner fibers of the hemp plant. The hemp fibers are bound with lime to create concrete-like shapes that are strong and light. Hemp Crete blocks are super-lightweight, which can also dramatically reduce the energy used to transport the blocks, and hemp itself is a fast-growing, renewable resource.
5. Bamboo
Bamboo might seem trendy, but it has actually been a locally-sourced building materialin some regions of the world for millennia. What makes bamboo such a promising building material for modern buildings is its combination of tensile strength, light weight, and fast-growing renewable nature. Used for framing buildings and shelters, bamboo can replace expensive and heavy imported materials and provide an alternative to concrete and rebar construction, especially in difficult-to reach areas, post-disaster rebuilding, and low-income areas with access to natural locally-sourced bamboo.
6. Recycled Plastic
Instead of mining, extracting, and milling new components, researchers are creating concrete that includes ground up recycled plastics and trash, which not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, but reduces weight and provides a new use for landfill-clogging plastic waste.
7. Wood
Plain old wood still retains many advantages over more industrial building materials like concrete or steel. Not only do trees absorb CO2 as they grow, they require much less energy-intensive methods to process into construction products. Properly managed forests are also renewable and can ensure a biodiverse habitat.
8. Mycelium
Mycelium is a crazy futuristic building material that’s actually totally natural – it comprises the root structure of fungi and mushrooms. Mycelium can be encouraged to grow around a composite of other natural materials, like ground up straw, in molds or forms, then air-dried to create lightweight and strong bricks or other shapes.
9. Ferrock
Ferrock is a new material being researched that uses recycled materials including steel dust from the steel industry to create a concrete-like building material that is even stronger than concrete. What’s more, this unique material actually absorbs and traps carbon dioxide as part of its drying and hardening process – making it not only less CO2 intensive than traditional concrete, but actually carbon neutral.
10. AshCrete
Ash Crete is a concrete alternative that uses fly ash instead of traditional cement. By using fly ash, a by-product of burning coal, 97 percent of traditional components in concrete can be replaced with recycled material.
11. Timbercrete
Timbercreteis an interesting building material made of sawdust and concrete mixed together. Since it is lighter than concrete, it reduces transportation emissions, and the sawdust both reuses a waste product and replaces some of the energy-intensive components of traditional concrete. Timbercrete can be formed into traditional shapes such as blocks, bricks, and pavers.
Images via Unsplash, Willow Herb, Carolina Zuluaga, Zack Detailer, Alan Stark and Public Domain Pictures
GREEN BUILDING 101: Materials and Resources Part 1—Sustainable Building Supplies
ARCHITECTURE
- 05/20/2014
- under Architecture, Education, Other Gadgets
by Catherine WinterVIEW SLIDESHOW
When we think of greenhouse gas emissions, some of us might envision a tailpipe spewing exhaust… but 40% of the carbon dioxide that contributes to climate change actually comes from buildings. While some of that is a secondary effect of operational needs such as electricity, A/C, and heating, many GHGs arise from resource extraction, manufacturing, and production of the building materials themselves. Today’s series walks you through choosing materials wisely, and ensuring that those you select—as well as the resources it took to produce them—are a part of the whole picture of a sustainable home.
Of all the criteria covered by GGBC-H and our own GreenBuilding 101 series, this section on materials and resources has perhaps the broadest application and relevance. These are the very ingredients that go into a building, and choosing them wisely makes all the difference in terms of the overall impact of the structure throughout its life. This is where “environmental footprint” or “life cycle assessment” come into play; these materials are in the picture from the first round of planning to the final stages of demolition or renovation.
Sizing Up Your Home
One of Inhabitat’s recurring themes is the virtue of a compact space,like the Tiny Tack House shown above. On the spectrum of difficulty in shifting towards a more sustainable lifestyle, consolidating your space is a pretty easy way to live more efficiently. A smaller home takes less material to build, and requires fewer resources to maintain indoor comfort; these days, some of the most elegant and innovative interiors emerge from a creative use of compact quarters.
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Framing the Argument
There are plenty of reasons to love prefab houses, and where material efficiency is concerned, it’s all about the frame (or lack thereof). Replacing stick framing with wall panels saves resources and diminishes waste, and the NRDC has created a handbook for efficient wood use in residential framing. Basically, where wood framing is used, optimum value engineering (using fewer framing members within code compliance) can cut down on the use of wood by 11-19%, and lower framing costs significantly. Or, better yet, eliminate wood framing and use prefabricated building components (panels and trusses) that are more efficient, durable, flexible and generally make for a tighter building envelope. SIPS (structurally insulated panels) use oriented strand board, which is produced from smaller trees that can be harvested sustainably. They have EPS (expanded polystyrene) rigid foam insulation in their core, which means fewer drafts, less noise, lower energy bills, and a more comfortable indoor environment.
Looking Local
How does one decide if one material is more environmentally preferred over another? At this point the best answer to the question is simply to ask a lot of questions. It also helps to compare apples to apples. For example, rapidly renewable bamboo or plyboo is a good alternative to traditional oak flooring, but if reclaimed oak is locally available, it may be wiser to opt for the product that doesn’t come from China… unless you’re in China, of course.
A number of useful checklists can be found, such as GGBC-H, Built it Green or Healthy Building Network’s long list of .
Durability is Desirable
This one relates back in large part to our discussion of sustainable sites. The conditions under and around your home determine the ability of the structure to withstand all sorts of potential challenges to its integrity, not least of those being moisture, wind and temperature fluctuations. This is also tied into considering the offerings of local resources, as the naturally-occuring materials in any given location are most likely to be durable within that region. It’s smart to do your research in order to address not only weather-related issues, but also insects, function, and even style.
Environmentally Preferable Products
Because the word “sustainable” is open to interpretation, any manufacturer or marketing team can call their product “green”, among the many other eco-friendly buzz words out there. Several third-party certification organizations have cropped up in recent years, to help police those ever-clever marketing folks from twisting the truth about the endless products on the market. A good rule of thumb is to stick with the consensus based certifiers like GGBC, FSC, and EnergyStar, and be cautious of trade association greenwash labels that may create certifications to aid their own sales. Healthy Building News has a great article called that goes into depth on this topic.
Recently the Brazilian hardwood Ipe has become a popular choice for decking and exterior cladding applications, due to its strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. Few people know much about its native habitat, however, or that it’s covered in several feet of water for much of the year (which is how it adapted to be so hard and resilient). Just because a species of timber is long-lasting does not mean it’s a sustainable choice. If it’s not FSC certified, chances are the tree was logged by clear-cutting virgin forest, without plans for habitat restoration. Before specifying a hardwood, find out where it comes from, who’s supplying it, and if there are FSC certified woods available. EarthSource Forest Productsworks with designers and contractors to find cost competitive FSC certified woods, based on availability.
Waste Management
In Bill McDonough’s famous 3-line vision for the transformation of design, waste=food. With this in mind, it’s best to turn as much of the material you discard at home into potential nutrients for plants and products in the future. Start a compost bin, separate household waste into organic, recyclable, and trash, and then find ways to cut down on the size of that third pile. Outside, you have options, too: Where frequently we let rainwater get away, there are materials such as pervious pavement, which reduces storm water runoff and uses less overall material than impermeable paving.
Most importantly, during construction, demolition or renovation, be conscious of the materials you’re tossing away. You can contact Habitat for Humanity to see if they can use any materials you’re discarding, or there may be a local organization that helps to mitigate waste and debris from going to a landfill. If you’re unsatisfied with your city’s recycling program, contact your local PUC (public utility commission) or better yet, call the Mayor!
Stay tuned for part 2 of Materials and Resources coming soon.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Scientists discover how to stop banana peels from browning
FOOD WASTE
- 05/13/2022
- under Food Waste
by Bonface LandiVIEW SLIDESHOW
Understanding and changing how banana peels brown could help the world save tons of food that go to waste each year, according to a new study published in “Physical Biology.”
The researchers looked at the root cause of browning in bananas and other fruit typically found in someone’s home. They found that the browning process is caused by enzymes and air reactions. Although this is a known fact, there have been no efforts in the past to observe how this process can be controlled. The researchers now say browning can be stopped by genetic modification and proper storage of fruit.
Related: 10 ways to use up mushy, overripe bananas
One of the ways proposed by the researchers is storing bananas in cooled containers under a modified atmosphere. The researchers also found that the formation of spots could be slowed down by decreasing oxygen in their formation sites.
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Browning of fruit, including bananas, leads to an estimated 50 million tons of food waste every year. With the world grappling with food security, the researchers say losses could be prevented. Bananas are among the universally accepted foods and are produced massively across the world. Saving bananas from browning could increase food security for the world at large.
“For 2019, the total production of bananas was estimated to be 117 million tons, making it a leading crop in the world,” says Oliver Steinbock, lead author of the research. “When bananas ripen, they form numerous dark spots that are familiar to most people and are often used as a ripeness indicator. However, the process of how these spots are formed, grow, and their resulting pattern remained poorly understood, until now.”
The study was conducted by a team of researchers from Florida State University, led by Steinbock. Over time, Steinbock found that it is possible to protect fruit from turning brown as fast as they do.
“Fruit browning continues to be a major challenge for the food industry. Our study offers a model for banana spotting which is capable of capturing their evolution in a physically meaningful context and which can be applied to procedures to mitigate food waste,” Steinbock said.
Lead image via Pexels
Luxome’s bamboo bedding is breathable, soft and sustainable
SUSTAINABLE LIVING
- 04/28/2021
- under Sustainable Living
by Katherine GallagherVIEW SLIDESHOW
Spring is here — and with it brings flowers, bumblebees and of course, fluctuating weather. No matter where you are in the world, our bodies’ temperatures tend to be intimately connected with our sleep patterns. Because a good night’s rest sets the rhythm for the entire day, investing in your sleep is always a good idea.
That’s where high-quality bedding can come in — after all, we spend about one-third of our lives in bed — and a fabric that is breathable can do wonders for comfortable sleep. While cotton is typically the most common textile used for sheets, pillow cases and pajamas, bamboo is renowned for its lightweight and moisture-wicking qualities, making it perfect for both hot and cold sleepers.
Related: Bamboo Compression Socks offer support via natural and recycled materials
Known for its popular weighted blankets made of luxury bamboo lyocell, bedding company Luxome is now offering bamboo pillows (that are actually adjustable!) and bamboo sheets, using both non-toxic and sustainable materials.
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Bamboo fabric
Let’s take a moment to talk about bamboo fabric. It seems like fabrics made from bamboo have taken the fashion industry by storm over the last few years, and it’s safe to say that popularity has a lot to do with bamboo’s environmentally friendly features. But is bamboo fabric actually sustainable? Well, that answer is complicated.
Mechanically produced bamboo linen is considered the best choice when it comes to bamboo fabric, because it involves crushing the bamboo plant into pulp before adding natural enzymes to break it down. However, it is often a more expensive process and results in a rougher texture. There’s also lyocell (also known as the brand name, Tencel), which involves a closed-loop cycle where chemicals and water aren’t released into the environment. Although bamboo viscose can sometimes involve more chemicals than other bamboo-based fabrics, it is still considered better for the environment than conventional viscose. Oftentimes, traditional viscose or rayon use wood pulp from unsustainably harvested forests and even old-growth trees.
Bamboo fabrics have so many environmental advantages. Bamboo is self-regenerative, meaning new stalks naturally shoot out of the plant after some of the plant is harvested, without the use of pesticides, fertilizers or even irrigation — basically, all it needs is some rainwater to grow. It’s known for growing up to 12 inches per day and for growing in difficult environments. Perhaps best of all, studies have shown that bamboo plants can produce 35% more oxygen than trees.
Products made from bamboo can even be softer than cotton thanks to the micro-gaps in the fabric and are fully biodegradable (as long as they haven’t been loaded with a bunch of toxic chemicals). Luxome’s bamboo fabric is 100% certified bamboo, so it isn’t blended with other cheap fabrics. The fabric is also backed by OEKO-TEX. The third-party certifier tests products for harmful substances, meaning this bedding doesn’t contain any allergens or dyes known to be carcinogenic.
Luxome’s premium bamboo sheets
I had the chance to try out some of Luxome’s bamboo bedding ourselves, and let’s just say, I was impressed. I tried both the Premium Bamboo Sheet Set and the LAYR Pillow and found some seriously comfy results.
The bamboo sheets are 100% pure bamboo viscose with a 400 thread count, a feature that the company calls “the highest thread count of any bamboo sheets ever made.” Right out of the package, the sheets seemed surprisingly durable despite their light, airy texture. Plus, the bamboo bag they came in will work wonderfully as a soft, reusable bag for traveling. Even after washing them, the material stayed as soft as silk. The set (I went with the silvery “stone” color) included one fitted sheet, one flat sheet and two pillowcases. The fitted sheet has 17-inch-deep pockets, which is a huge plus for thicker mattresses or toppers.
Also naturally hypoallergenic thanks to the eco-friendly material, the sheets performed great over spring evenings that were cool one night and warmer the next. The temperature-regulating fabric is naturally moisture-wicking, helping it to absorb moisture from your body if you sweat. The bamboo fibers are more hollow than similar textiles, so the fabric can breathe and subsequently evaporate the moisture as you sleep.
The texture of the sheets is super helpful for those of us who move around a lot while sleeping. Hair glided over the smooth texture of the material (so I didn’t wake up to frizzy hair), and there was no getting tangled up in the sheets in the middle of the night.
The LAYR Pillow
The idea of an adjustable pillow makes total sense. By buying a pillow that can fit to multiple specifications and serve multiple needs, you’re less likely to end up with a bunch of unused pillows going to waste.
Inside the box, I found the bamboo pillow cover, along with a soft insert made with a down alternative filling, a medium insert with a mixture of gel-infused memory foam down alternative filling and a firm insert with 100% gel-infused memory foam (Luxome includes both a 2-inch insert and a 1-inch insert for preferred height). The memory foam is CertiPUR-US certified, so it has low VOCs and no harmful substances.
While the pillow comes pre-configured with the company’s most popular combination of one down alternative insert and one gel-infused memory foam insert, customers can add or remove inserts for their personal configuration. For me, it only took a few tries to find my perfect combination, but spending an entire night with the specific pillow combo was the true test. (Tip: because the inserts come with their own cotton covers, they won’t go to waste if you use them as smaller, individual pillows for your legs or back).
The pillow cover, also made from natural bamboo viscose, washed beautifully according to the instructions and was soft enough that I didn’t even need an additional pillow case on top. As it turns out, this was the right call, as the sides of the pillow are specially designed to optimize airflow.