How Construction Businesses are Going Green

HOW CONSTRUCTION BUSINESSES ARE

GOING GREEN SeanCarothers.com

SUSTAINABILITY Environmental concern has become a staple within the construction industry in recent decades given how much more aware people are becoming of climate change, deforestation, and pollution in general.

In order to do their parts in making smaller carbon footprints, construction business owners have been adopting new techniques and designs that take the environment into consideration.

BAMBOO This is starting to be seen as a viable material for many structures given its incredible strength (nearly 2x stronger than steel), and the fact that it release 35% more oxygen and absorbs carbon dioxide at a much faster rate than trees.

Bamboo seems almost too good to be true from a industrial standpoint. It even holds the world record for fastest growing plant, reaching a remarkable 35 inches per day, making it a truly impeccable resource.on the side.

RECYCLABLES The amount and types of materials that are recycled on a daily basis should be seen as a goldmine for professionals in the construction industry. Scrap metal, cardboard, certain types of plastics, rubber, and more can all be used for interior or exterior components of buildings.

Insulation and carpeting for example, are typically made with products that have been found to be extremely hazardous to the environment. Recycled materials can effectively replace these, and even be melted down for later use.

INNOVATIVE MATERIALS More professionals within construction today are seeking to cut costs on materials, while simultaneously benefiting the environment. This has led to extremely innovative thinking, resulting in a number of impressive inventions.

One notable invention is that of selfhealing concrete. Created by the team of Henk Jonkers and Erik Schlangen, this materia could save an unprecedented amount of money by reducing carbon emissions, and eliminating the need for constant repairs.

The advantages that come with environmentally conscious construction are far and wide. Air and water quality could be drastically improved, waste streams coming from buildings could be reduced, and operating costs would be cut in half.

Though these strategies are just a few of many ways professionals are changing the construction industry, the future seems bright.

SEAN CAROTHERS OWNER Carothers Construction, Inc.

SeanCarothers.com