In the future, it’s predicted at some point we will reach our consumption of oil within the next 20 years. Regards to this, the demand of oil continues to rise as the global production of oil decreases. The construction industry alone, requires most of its energy sources from oil-based fuels.
The western world relies on crude oil mostly, with this especially in the construction sector. Oils are used within the processes that allow construction to happen. Astonishingly, within the United Kingdom, 50% of all carbon emissions produced by machinery and production are accounted for by the construction industry.
With the population in the UK continuing to rise, the government is telling construction companies what that they must use green processes, and they’ve done this by passing legislation. Post-construction firms are also being told to use green technologies within the build to benefit the environment once the construction is complete.
The revenue of eco-friendly construction companies is estimated at $245 billion and this is something that companies within the United Kingdom can take advantage of.
With Reconomy, providers of waste management solutions for recyclable materials and 8 yard skip hire, we establish how eco-friendly construction practices can be set up within any construction site.
What to do
There are three things that should be in your thought process when making the change to becoming eco-friendly within construction and they are:
- During the construction process, is there any energy being wasted? This could be things like machines being overused during the production process, which leads to expendable energy being wasted, which can never be used again. Electric vehicles and machines with hybrid-engines should be used so that when a motor is being overworked, an electric engine should be placed to cope with the load.
- Once the structure is complete, consider whether there is any energy generated within that being wasted?
- Look at whether materials have been locally sourced or if they’re renewed; if they aren’t can they be recycled in the future?
Recycling paper can be used as insulation for a roof during and after the construction. Insulation materials are mostly expensive. If you use cheaper and practical alternatives, the cost of producing insulation for one roof will be reduced effectively by using already existing materials. Additionally, timber sources from sustainably managed forests within the local area can be used also. Consider reclaimed wood as well, as this is an alternative to chopping down trees that are used within construction.
Ecological Structures
You can include eco-friendly construction in a proposed structure in the following manner:
- Solar Energy – Solar panels can generate electricity within a building, or domestically to power boilers and other electrical equipment, solar energy is quick to become a cheaper option to other forms of domestic power
- Drainage systems and water filtration – These systems can be placed, water can be re-used when biological waste is treated safely, which it can then be recycled. It is also recommended to collect rainwater in specific drains and storage taps, which it can be used as an alternative to relying on water from a tap
- Low-energy lighting. Last stwice as long as regular lightbulbs and are accounted for an energy saving of 100%.
Make the most out of it
The maintenance for the building is said to be 80% of a building’s total running cost. If you use green initiatives then you reduce the total running costs of a building by one third, which amounts to around 53.3% of a building’s running costs.
When it comes to designing the building, consider the natural light that you will receive, as it will help you save costs on artificial lighting. The ‘indoor environment quality’ of a structure can also be improved when daylight can shine through a building, which benefits the health of occupants that are present in the building.
If you use long-lasting recyclable materials, it will benefit you for when the building begins. Fewer new materials will be used as a result of this within the structure, helping to reduce the costs whilst less energy is used (from crude oils) in order to produce the structure.
It’s essential to slow down pace of climate change. Using techniques and materials like these can make a difference. The end goal for the construction industry then should be to produce homes and buildings that are greener, economically efficient and conceptualised with the environment in mind.
Finally, more people are becoming more aware and more acceptant to how pollution will impact our planet. I thought he might of wanted to go out this morning.
Sources:
http://www.sustainablebuild.co.uk/ecofriendlyconstructionmethodsmaterials.html
http://www.nationwideconstruction.us/eco-friendly-construction-8-advantages-of-green-building/
http://www.inc.com/best-industries/issie-lapowsky/green-construction.html
http://www.sustainablebuild.co.uk/ecofriendlyconstruction.html