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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
Materials & Energy for Construction
Materials & Energy for Construction
Construction waste makes up anywhere from 10% to the majority of an area's waste stream, depending on various factors. When an area is frequently hit with catastrophic weather events (thanks to climate change), the rate of waste from buildings being built, destroyed, remodeled and rebuilt increased dramatically. With this in mind, individuals, companies, and communities need to focus on building and rebuilding with the environment in mind, using eco-friendly building practices and materials, including reclaimed construction materials.
Lifetime Emissions of Buildings
Lifetime Emissions of Buildings
The energy needed to run a building - cooling, heating, lighting, cooking, heating water, and more contribute to a larger percentage of global emissions. The good news is that heating and cooling make up the majority of this energy use, which can be reduced if and when designers include passive heating and cooling into the design of buildings from the start.
Even retrofitting old buildings with new, insulated facades, and other energy-saving features can make a surprising dent in energy consumption.
End of Life & Reclaimed Construction Materials
End of Life & Reclaimed Construction Materials
Considering the practicalities of end of life for building materials can help keep valuable resources out of landfills, reduce building costs, conserve historical characteristics, and reduce overall environmental impact of a building project.
Aircrete
Aircrete
Bricks
Bricks
Bricks have traditionally been laid with cement to glue the blocks together, though in South America stones were fitted so perfectly that they didn't need anything to help them stick.
Modern brick alternatives are sometimes created with interlocking shapes or pegs, reducing or eliminating the need for cement. Since cement is has a particularly high carbon footprint, this is a brilliant way to reduce a building's CO2 emissions.
Bricks have traditionally been made from local clay, but now we can make them from hemp, seaweed, and even plastic.
Cob
Cob
Earth Ships
Earth Ships
Floating Homes
Floating Homes
Rammed Earth
Rammed Earth
Wattle & Daub
Wattle & Daub
3D Printing
3D Printing
Organizations
Organizations
North America
North America
USA
USA
The Clean Energy States Alliance "is a national, nonprofit coalition of public agencies and organizations working together to advance clean energy.
CESA works with state leaders, federal agencies, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to develop clean energy programs and inclusive renewable energy markets. CESA members—mostly state agencies—include many of the most innovative, successful, and influential public funders of clean energy initiatives in the country."
Pennsylvania
The Tamaqua Sustainability Project "is a community of DIY builders, designers, artists and permaculturists with a mission to spread ecological consciousness by providing education and inspiration for living in self-sufficient, resilient, and creative ways."
Education & Training Opportunities
Education & Training Opportunities
North America
North America
USA
USA
Pennsylvania
Tamaqua Sustainability Project offers classes for building earthships. "
Companies
Companies
Africa
Africa
Kenya
Kenya
Gjenge "Gjenge’s pledge is to be true to our vision and mission while maintaining sustainable practices as a social enterprise. Thus far we have managed to recycle over 100 tonnes of plastic waste. We have also managed to create 112 job opportunities for garbage collectors, women, and youth groups by turning plastic waste into affordable beautiful building materials."
North America
North America
Mexico
Mexico
SargaBlock "Por cada 2,000 piezas de block de sargazo utilizado en una construcción, ayudamos a limpiar más de 20 toneladas de este material en las playas."
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