# Think green: Sustainable concrete, new way of helping the environment

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/07/think-green-sustainable-concrete-material-good/
- Published: 2019-07-05T19:03:09-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

For decades now we have been using concrete. It’s hard on the environment to say
the least. Now, of course, environmentalism has been the hot topic in the media.
Especially what with the rapid rise of [global warming](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/12/cut-global-emissions-by-7-6-percent-every-year-for-next-decade-to-meet-1-5c-paris-target-un-report/)
and the undeniable effects that [climate change](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/climate-change-the-time-for-action-is-now/)
has on our fragile world. Governments, researches, prominent individuals and groups.
For that’s as well as powerful organizations. I mean they have come together. Most
noteworthy over the years to invest in sustainability in numerous industries. All
in an attempt to make the residential and commercial realms a bit greener.

## Industries

Some of these industries include [architecture and design](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/06/sustainable-architecture-the-worlds-greenest-buildings/).
That’s as well as [construction](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/what-are-the-best-green-construction-solutions/).
Particularly, the modern age has incentivized the ideation of innovative construction
methods. Moreover materials like concrete being sustainable concrete. Let’s take
a look at how modern concrete mixes can be sustainable. Especially and how they 
can help the world become a greener place.

![Concrete material ](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/
07/img_9165-1.jpg?resize=150%2C150&quality=52&ssl=1)

### **Increasing resource efficiency**

[Concrete](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/10/crestwood-middle-school-went-green-building-with-royal-concrete-concepts/)
is predominantly made from limestone. In addition, concrete is the most abundant
mineral on the planet. Even though most of the world’s concrete is still made strictly
out of limestone, forward-looking companies. For they are reinventing their approach
to concrete manufacturing. Most noteworthy and using other materials. That’s to 
achieve the same level of [quality, durability, and longevity](https://web.archive.org/web/20190814132347/https://www.sciencedirect.com/).
Alternative materials also aim to reduce manufacturing costs. In addition create
a more sustainable production environment.

Some of these materials include slag cement, silica fume, fly ash, as well as various
waste byproducts sourced from steel mills, power plants, and numerous other manufacturing
facilities. This kind of production versatility allows concrete manufacturers to
keep creating high-quality concrete while minimizing the environmental impact across
the board.

![Concrete material sustainable](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/
uploads/2019/07/img_9166.jpg?resize=150%2C150&quality=52&ssl=1)

#### **Emphasizing durability and lifespan**

When we’re talking about the lifespan of a construction material, as well as its
overall durability, concrete is the best solution on the modern market. Quite simply,
building a commercial or residential property with a concrete base, foundation, 
and framework means that you are building a structure that will stand the test of
time. Given the fact that concrete won’t rust, rot, or burn, there is no denying
that it’s one of the best investments for contractors and investors alike.

Other common building materials such as wood or steel fail to stand up to par with
the inherent longevity and durability of concrete, not to mention its thermal benefits
for your home. In fact, concrete structures typically enjoy a lifespan that is two
and even three times longer than that of other popular materials. This makes concrete
a stable one-off investment with minimal risk and a high ROI potential.

#### **Using concrete’s thermal mass for energy efficiency**

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/img_9167.jpg?
resize=300%2C200&quality=52&ssl=1)

Whether you’re investing in concrete to build a home of a commercial property, it’s
important to note how the material can help you minimize energy expenditure throughout
the year and keep your heating and cooling bills relatively low. This is especially
important for homeowners who want to fight the [summer heats effectively](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/06/keep-your-cool-this-summer-with-tips-from-smarterhouse/)
while staying energy efficient.

Homes and commercial buildings built on a [modern concrete foundation](https://www.hanson.com.au/products/concrete/),
including floors and walls, have a much higher passive insulation effect than those
built with other traditional materials. The concrete’s thermal mass absorbs and 
retains heat when the interior is heated during the winter months, preventing the
heat from dissipating. Likewise, it will prevent the heat from penetrating into 
the interior during the sizzling summer months, allowing the interior to stay cool.
Homes and offices build on concrete are therefore able to install much smaller HVAC
units, and spend less on energy as a result.

#### Allowing rainwater to replenish local supplies

Another eco-friendly benefit of concrete many people are not aware of is the material’s
ability to retain rainwater and let it seep into the soil, establishing a balance
and preventing numerous problems associated with poor soil moisture. Asphalt, for
example, prevents water from infiltrating the soil beneath and thus creates an unstable
environment that leads to numerous environmental problems such as erosion, heavy
pollution, flash floods, and the depletion of water table.

This is why manufacturers are increasingly using pervious concrete, an environmentally-
friendly paving material that has the ability to replenish local watershed systems
and retain rainwater without sacrificing any of the aforementioned benefits of the
material. As more and more cities and countries switch to pervious concrete, the
need for stormwater management systems will diminish, cutting production costs and
CO2 emissions in the process.

#### Minimizing waste production

And finally, keep in mind that concrete is a material that produces minimal amounts
of waste. Given the fact that manufacturers and contractors can calculate the exact
amount of concrete needed for every construction project – utilizing [innovative technology such as BIM](https://connect.bim360.autodesk.com/benefits-of-bim-in-construction),
for example – there is no need to over-produce. When the time comes to demolish 
a building or concrete structure, the material is crushed down and recycled to be
used as aggregate in new construction projects.

Leaders from every industry in the world are coming up with new ideas on how to 
make our “pale blue dot” a little greener than before, all in the hopes of restoring
the Earth that once was. The construction industry, with its concrete innovations,
is just another cog in the eco-friendly machinery that will make this dream a reality.

![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641?
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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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