The latest reports on global warming are bleak: the top scientists tell us we only have a total of 12 years to curb the catastrophic events that will come with a small rise in the overall temperature of the planet. Mass floods, storms, and forest fires will bring the grand destruction of our homes and communities, and countries across the globe will experience severe effects of the temperature rising.
As such, many communities around the world are striving to curb their impact on our planet. From eating less meat, to biking to work, to changing to green energy sources; individuals, families, and businesses alike are coming up with innovative new ways to lessen their destructive impact on the planet.
In the scaffolding and construction industry, we also realize we can have a large impact on making the world a safer, saner, and greener space for ourselves are future generations by opting for less destructive materials, building methods, and architectural design and functionality.
In our current series of blog posts, we will explore how architecture is becoming greener; from the construction site, to building design, to how buildings are powered. In this blog post, we explore how construction is becoming more eco-friendly.
Starting on the construction site: how we are going greener
Beyond construction practices themselves, become more eco-friendly on the construction site, all begins with the materials we use. From bamboo to recycled wood, there are many strong, sturdy, inexpensive, and energy-efficient materials we can utilize when it comes to building new commercial buildings and houses for people to live and work in.
Below, we highlight some of the very best green materials that people around the world are beginning to utilise in their construction of new infrastructure.
A greener scaffolding site: it’s all in the materials we use
When it comes to a greener construction site, first and foremost, we need to look at the materials we use to save on emissions. Choosing eco-friendly materials for constructing building saves energy on their manufacture and production - this reduces carbon emissions. As such, it’s important that we take stock of the materials we use in building.
Many construction companies reduce carbon emission by opting to build with recycled/secondary materials, as opposed to new materials. They also choose to use more eco-friendly materials, such as:
Bamboo: as BroadSword note, bamboo is big news in the world of green construction:
“Bamboo is increasing in popularity as a building material. Bamboo is very sustainable since it grows quickly. While trees such as pine and cedar can be reforested, growing them can take years. Bamboo can be reforested much more promptly and grows throughout the world. Bamboo, like true wood, is a natural composite material with a high strength-to-weight ratio useful for structures.”
Used wood
Recycled wood is another great choice for building new homes and other important commercial buildings. Using recycled wood from older homes, and other furniture is a great use of wood that we no longer need. Using recycled wood can help us avoid mass deforestation, something which is vital to cooling the planet.
Rammed Earths
Rammed earth refers to the use of compact dirt that has been tamped down. Rammed earth has been used around the world for many centuries and is highly reliable and sturdy. As a material straight from the ground, dirt is highly energy-efficient, and does not require wildy intensive processes for extraction and mining.
Looking to the future
Greener buildings all begin with the right eco-friendly building materials. More and more construction companies are utilising these great products in their buildings. In our next blog post, we explore how the industry is becoming greener though better construction practices.