Preserve the Planet and Your Money by Using Concrete Alternatives

Concrete is the most widely used material in the construction industry. Made from a mixture of cement, gravel, sand, and water, concrete manufacturers produce about 10 billion tons of the material every year, making it the most consumed substance in the world, second to water.

Despite the massive production and consumption of concrete in the building sector, many people are now questioning its alleged contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Since the construction industry is notoriously known to produce excessive waste and resource utilization, there is increased pressure to employ sustainability in all aspects of development. 

Concrete is undeniably an essential building material used in commercial and residential properties, sometimes even as design elements. As the most frequently used synthetic material on earth, necessary developments were created to introduce the use of green materials in the construction and eco-friendly substitutes for cement to reduce the number of natural resources consumed.

1. GREEN CONCRETE

Green concrete is an eco-friendly alternative to concrete produced using waste or residual materials from different industries and requires less energy for production. Compared to traditional concrete, it has less carbon dioxide and is considered cheap and durable.

Using green concrete aims to lessen the burden on natural resources and increase dependency on recyclable materials. Reusing wash water to reduce water consumption is a good technique of the multiple strategies utilized to achieve sustainability through eco-friendly concrete.

Substituting energy-consuming cement with reusable materials is among the best strategies to achieve eco-friendly construction material. For example, adhesive can be replaced with Fly Ash, Silica Fume, Wood Ash, etc.

2. ASHCRETE

Fly Ash comes from coal combustion, previously discarded in the landfill but is now used to manufacture green concrete.

AshCrete cement adequately replaces concrete since it utilizes recycled fly ash. The fly ash is then mixed with lime and water to solidify the mixture and make it more durable than traditional cement.

Incorporating fly ash in Ashcrete makes the product more sustainable since it is an efficient substitute for cement, leading to reduced CO2 emissions.

3. BLAST FURNACE SLAG

Blast furnace slag is also recyclable material and an efficient alternative to traditional concrete. It has a glassy and granular texture produced by extinguishing molten iron slag from the blast furnace into water or steam.

The blast furnace material can replace 70% to 80% concrete and improve the cement’s durability. The material is sustainable because its production process produces less heat for hydration.

4. BAMBOO & CORK

Bamboo is now gaining popularity in the construction industry since it’s incredibly lightweight, durable, and flexible. It is used in various building projects all over the globe and is known to be an ecological alternative to concrete. 

Both natural materials also grow fast and have a shorter growth cycle than wood, making them an efficient substitute for cement and slowing down deforestation. 

Bamboo and cork also have unique features. Bamboo has an impressive weight-to-strength ratio and a greater tensile strength than concrete, making it highly resistant to extreme conditions. On the other hand, cork is highly flexible, has insulating properties, and can help with noise absorption. 

5. RECYCLED PLASTIC

The improper dumping and over-usage of plastic caused various adverse effects on our environment. Every day, 8 million pieces of plastic litter enter oceans worldwide, with only 9% being recycled and hundreds of marine life threatened by plastic.

Since plastic is non-biodegradable, we can strategically substitute recycled plastic with concrete by grinding the waste to create plastic-filled blocks. Utilizing these blocks can help reduce landfills and greenhouse gas emissions. They are lightweight and waterproof, plus they can be reused several times and achieve the same results.

6. HEMPCRETE

The hemp plant is slowly becoming an ideal renewable alternative to concrete in many sustainable building projects. The plant only takes four months to flourish, has little demand for water or chemicals, and can be harvested in continuity. 

When mixed with lime and water, hemp fibers turn into a concrete-like material that is lighter and more durable. Since lime releases 80% less carbon than conventional concrete, the material is carbon negative. Finally, hemp blocks offer superior insulation and flexibility.

7. FERROCK – STEEL DUST

Ferrock is a significant part of the zero-impact movement in the construction industry as it can effectively replace expensive and heavy building materials that are unsafe for the environment. While you can directly obtain steel dust from steel manufacturers, a unique feature of ferrock is its capability to entrap carbon dioxide during the drying and hardening stage. 

Since it’s built from accumulated steel dust, the material is more robust than concrete and can withstand high compression levels before it breaks. Its durability makes it an excellent alternative for structures prone to earthquakes.

8. MYCELIUM – MUSHROOMS

Mushrooms aren’t just for consumption as it is a promising technological advancement that aims to reduce our carbon impact further and enhance sustainability. Mycelium is produced by allowing it to grow around organic materials such as straw. After it dries up, you can turn the mushroom into a versatile building material. 

Mycelium is lightweight, durable, and resistant to fire, water, and mold. Since the material is relatively new, it is currently used as a packaging material for art installations and other small-scale structures. 

9. RAMMED EARTH

Rammed earth is an environment-friendly technique used by our ancestors for thousands of years as early as the Neolithic Period. The technology compresses a damp mixture of soil, clay, sand, and gravel to build walls, floors, and the structural foundation. It produces minimal waste during production and uses local materials, making it a sustainable alternative to concrete. 

10. FINITE

One of the most abundant biological resources is desert sand, but it’s essentially useless. However, a group of UK scientists figured out how to bind the sand into structures to make it a biodegradable building material.

Finite is as durable as concrete, but making the material produces fewer carbon emissions than concrete. It’s flexible since you can easily cast the material into various shapes and sizes or apply color using natural pigmentation.

Wrapping It Up

The demand for sustainability in all industries — not just in construction — is growing each day steadily as concerns for climate restoration continue to become a worldwide issue that everyone needs to address. The increasing annual heat that we currently experience necessitated the need for efficient alternatives to traditional building materials, such as concrete.

The drive towards green innovations in the construction industry is essential nowadays. Choosing unconventional building materials that are good for the environment isn’t just responsible; it is highly beneficial to your business.

We Are Excited to Hear from You!

If you need stainless steel access doors and panels for your construction project, you can rely on Best Access Doors to provide excellence and quality on your every purchase. Pick up the phone and dial (800)-483-0823 to speak with our world-class customer service today!