Given the UK government’s drive to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, there is increasing pressure on the construction industry to develop more eco-friendly ways of working. This ranges from how buildings are designed and constructed to the materials used in their assembly.
Following research into renewable energy, recently there has been a focus on making construction materials more sustainable. Together these strategies will transform the UK’s housing stock from some of the leakiest in Europe to eco-friendly, with minimal carbon emissions. Discover the key stages in the life cycle of construction materials, from extraction to disposal, and how these are being changed to align with new environmental standards.
- Material extraction
Raw materials used in construction are extracted from the earth. This includes quarrying for stone, mining metal and harvesting timber. Construction companies are being urged to source natural resources where possible to help reduce transportation emissions, but options are limited as extraction activities can have significant environmental impacts.
To go the extra mile to meet sustainability standards, materials must be sourced from approved areas in a low-impact way. For example, timber should be taken from woodland certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) who guarantee responsible forestry practices.
- Processing and manufacture
After extraction, raw materials undergo various processes to become usable building products. This phase is energy-intensive and significantly contributes to a material’s carbon footprint. The production of steel and cement—the two most commonly used materials in construction—accounts for around 10% of global CO2 emissions.
Where possible, builders should opt for eco-friendly alternatives such as building aggregate made using recycled content. This blend of sand, gravel and crushed stone from previous projects helps strengthen concrete and is suitable for use as the foundation of homes. There is also a growing trend for recycling steel for building projects to reduce the CO2 footprint of material manufacture in the industry.
- Usage in projects
Once processed, materials are incorporated into construction projects. Durability is a major priority now more than ever as buildings need to have superior longevity to be truly sustainable. Other primary concerns include ease of maintenance and the potential for reuse in the future.
Brick and treated timber offer better long-term performance than their counterparts and will reduce the demand for replacements in the decades to come. Modern construction techniques such as prefabrication and modular design optimise the way materials are used, further minimising waste and in turn reducing project costs.
- End-of-life considerations
Traditionally when buildings are no longer habitable, much of the materials are sent to landfills. To combat this unsustainable trend, the UK government has set new regulations enforcing the recycling and reuse of materials where possible, and deconstruction rather than demolition. Metals, concrete, and timber are some of the most commonly recycled materials in construction.
This drive towards a circular life cycle of construction materials aims to keep materials in use for as long as possible, minimising waste and the need to extract more raw materials. Along with the UK’s broader sustainability projects running across all industries, we’re closer to reaching the once-ambitious 2050 net zero goal.
