This essay discusses the main question of: Which material can truly be called sustainable?
One of the biggest issues the world is facing today is environmental pollution, which is increasing rapidly each year, resulting in serious and irreparable damage to earth. The construction industry has been a major source of pollution for many years. It is responsible for 4% emissions of particulate matter, causing more water pollution than any other industry, and massive noise pollution annually. Even though the construction operations pollute the soil, the key fields of concern are air, water and noise pollution.
Pollution prevention is an essential component of sustainability. To prevent pollution, the input of materials and energy, must be reduced. Careful consideration of construction materials can result to prevent pollution and contribute to a sustainable future. Sustainable materials includes examining aspects like transparency within the supply chain, local environmental repercussions during the period of extraction, harvesting and processing, and the ability to reuse and recycle them. Many materials can be defined as sustainable, but which materials are truly sustainable?
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 WOOD
- Chapter 2 PLASTIC
- Chapter 3 CONCRETE
- Chatper 4 TRADITIONAL CYPRIOT BUILDINGS
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text explores the sustainability of commonly used construction materials, examining their environmental impact and potential for contributing to a more sustainable future. It aims to challenge the notion of "sustainable materials" by delving into the complexities of their production, use, and disposal.
- Environmental impact of construction materials
- Sustainability of commonly used materials like wood, plastic, and concrete
- The role of traditional building practices in sustainability
- The importance of transparency and responsible sourcing in the construction industry
- The potential for reuse and recycling of construction materials
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction sets the stage by highlighting the significant environmental impact of the construction industry and the need for sustainable practices. It emphasizes the importance of considering the entire life cycle of materials, from extraction to disposal.
Chapter 1 focuses on wood, exploring its advantages and disadvantages as a construction material. It examines the environmental benefits of wood as a renewable resource, but also acknowledges the potential for deforestation and other environmental concerns.
Chapter 2 delves into the complexities of plastic as a building material. It discusses the environmental impact of plastic production and disposal, as well as the potential for using recycled plastics in construction.
Chapter 3 examines the use of concrete in construction, highlighting its environmental impact and potential for reducing its carbon footprint. It explores alternative concrete mixtures and the use of recycled aggregates.
Chapter 4 explores the sustainability of traditional Cypriot buildings, examining their use of local materials and traditional construction techniques. It highlights the importance of preserving traditional building knowledge and practices.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Sustainability, construction materials, environmental impact, wood, plastic, concrete, traditional buildings, renewable resources, recycling, embodied energy, life cycle analysis, pollution prevention, responsible sourcing, transparency.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Thekli Louca (Autor:in), 2015, Sustainable Materials. Are what we think of as sustainable materials, really sustainable?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/354362
