Negosentro | Civil Construction That Lasts: 9 Reasons to Use Sustainable Building Materials for Your Next Project | Sustainable construction is about more than just creating energy-efficient homes. It also requires choosing environmentally friendly building materials, not just in home construction but also in civil engineering. Read on to find out about nine of the benefits of choosing sustainable materials like natural stone for civil construction projects.
Fewer Emissions
Concrete manufacturing is one of the worst offenders when it comes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Natural stone, a sustainable building material, does not produce emissions when used for landscaping, road construction, erosion control, and other civil engineering projects.
Locally Sourced Materials
While speciality products are often manufactured in other states or other countries and shipped in from afar, it’s often possible to find a Granite Quarry closer to home. Using materials that don’t have to be transported for thousands of miles also helps to reduce GHG emissions and create a smaller carbon footprint for construction projects.
Long-Lasting Products
Few man-made products are as durable and long-lasting as natural stone. Using materials that are naturally capable of withstanding inclement weather, extreme pressure, and other external forces extend the lifespan of the finished product. That helps both the environment and the taxpayers’ wallets.
Recyclable Materials
Dams, roads, and other civil engineering projects completed using natural stone won’t generate a ton of waste. If the completed project eventually outlives its usefulness the stones can be repurposed for other projects while man-made products would wind up in a landfill.
Room for Creativity
Sustainable construction is a growing field with plenty of room for experimentation. Contractors who use sustainable natural materials have the opportunity to innovate and create positive change in their industries.
Minimize Ecosystem Damage
Man-made building materials have a much larger impact on natural environments than sustainably mined natural stone. In particularly sensitive ecosystems, building with natural materials can prevent species loss and subsequent ecosystem destabilization.
Cost Reduction
In many cases, sustainable building materials actually cost less money to purchase and install. This is especially true when the stone can be sourced from local quarries. It’s easier to get civil construction projects approved if they don’t cost a small fortune, so contractors who use locally sourced, sustainable materials often find that more of their bids are accepted.
Improved Image
Natural materials typically have more aesthetic appeal than man-made alternatives. That added aesthetic appeal can have a huge impact in certain areas where tourists and locals have grown to appreciate the beautiful scenery. Stone structures will add to the scenic beauty of the area and make it clear to visitors that the city or town really cares about the environment.
Create a Better Future
Just a few decades ago, few contractors or consumers would have even recognized the phrase sustainable development. The world is changing as resources continue to be depleted and ecosystems continue to degrade. The best way to create a better future is to start employing sustainable practices now.
The Bottom Line
Using sustainable materials in civil construction helps everyone. It helps the environment by reducing GHG emissions, protecting local ecosystems, and keeping man-made construction waste out of landfills. It helps construction firms by improving their reputations and decreasing their costs.
Sustainable materials also help residents of towns and visitors by creating an alternative to synthetic products that ruin their views and pollute their air, water, and soil. There’s really no downside.
