Minimising harm to the environment has been a hot topic in the past few years – but it’s been a theme for decades. In fact, sustainable construction practices were first conceived in 1987, albeit without the advantage of all the tech that we have to make this happen today. Given the advances in technology that are available in 2022, there is the potential to develop sustainable construction practices much further – and ensure that they can have a much bigger impact.
What are sustainable construction practices?
These practices are designed to reduce the impact that the construction sector has on the environment by using more renewable and recyclable resources to reduce energy consumption, the volume of toxic waste produced, as well as the unnecessary use of materials that aren’t sustainable. These practices don’t just benefit the environment but businesses too – and can have a significant impact on morale as 78% of employees favour businesses with ethical practices. Green technology has had a huge role to play in making sustainable construction practices possible. And there is more of it available than ever before thanks to ongoing innovation, from vertical farming to electric vehicles, solar panels and wind energy.
Green technology driving sustainable construction practices
Some green technology is specifically useful for helping the construction sector to achieve the goals that have been set when it comes to sustainable practices. This includes:
- Biodegradable materials. These offer a far better alternative to plastics, as they can be broken down by living organisms, such as bacteria, and won’t fill up thousands of acres of landfill. Given that the construction sector is responsible for a big part of the 400 million tonnes of waste that is produced in England and Wales every year, the use of more biodegradable materials could make a huge difference to sustainability.
- Plasma rocks. The innovation in plasma rocks comes from the fact that they are made from recycled landfill waste, providing a new construction material and minimising landfill in the process.
- Electrochromic smart glass. This electronically tintable glass maximises access to daylight and views while also reducing energy wastage. It’s incredibly innovative, as it can reduce heating in winter, minimise the need for air conditioning in summer and offer better options for electric light all year round.
- Cigarette butt bricks. As the name suggests these are bricks made from cigarette butts. They offer a better alternative to both the waste from using pure cement for bricks, as well as the pollution that disposing of cigarette butts tends to create.
- The option of a green roof. This market is currently growing by 17% a year with London leading the demand for installations. Green roofs don’t just look good but also help properties reduce energy costs and improve air quality in urban locations.
- Super hydro-phobic cement. Cement like this has been modified so that it can absorb and reflect light so that it’s a viable alternative to street lighting.
These are just some of the ways in which technology is currently contributing to developing sustainable construction practices. Find out more about RG Group sustainability efforts here.
