Alternative building materials for

green construction
While the world has come to rely on concrete as one of the main material for building construction,
concrete could actually harm the environment more than it is helping. To illustrate, 16% of all fossil
fuel consumed every year is used to turn those raw materials into construction products.
In regards to this, here are some several green alternatives for building material which can give
a lower impact on the environment:
Straw Bale

Unlike other recycled materials, straw bale can be used in its raw state -requiring no further
processing and is quite affordable.
By utilizing straw bale, the building will naturally provide very high levels of insulation for
climate change.
Straw bale is a low impact, low carbon building material that has gained more mainstream
acceptance by the public. However, areas with extreme humidity and high rainfall may not be the
appropriate choice for straw bale construction.
Grasscrete

Also known as Sustainable Urban Drainage, Grasscrete is a green alternative to standard

concrete surfaces for parking lots, driveway and other access roads giving drainage benefits and
improving stormwater absorption. Grasscrete is beneficial for businesses and developers because it
drains at about the same rate (90%) as would an ordinary lawn in the same location. With 47%
concrete and 53% holes filled with grass, it will help to form a natural bio-filter to significantly remove
pollutants.
HempCrete

Made using the woody, balsa-like interior of the Cannabis sativa plant combined with lime and water,
HempCrete material provides a natural airtight yet breathable and flexible insulation. HempCrete is
also mold free and pest resistant as well as nearly fireproof. Considered as a sustainable building
material, hemp can be grown and replenished relatively quick.

Bamboo

Underutilized for many years, bamboo has long been used as a traditional building material and is
gaining more spotlight due to its potential for eco-friendly purposes in green construction.
Bamboo produces more oxygen and absorbs more carbon dioxide, which is very ideal in combating
global climate change. Apart from that, Bamboo is easily grown and harvested, making it one of the
most cost-effective construction materials to date. Bamboo is also highly sustainable and give san
aesthetic appeal in construction for housing.
Recycled Plastic

Plastics are one of the most energy-efficient materials over their entire life-cycle. The fact being
that the typical lifespan of plastic applications in building and construction is up to 30 to 50 years.

Wood

Wood is a historic, classic and durable green building material that has a longevity, aesthetics and
flair to buildings for thousands of years.
Using wood as a material in building construction can have significant environmental benefits.
Manufacturing wood for construction is less energy intensive than other materials, including
concrete, steel, cement or glass production with some percentage of recycled material. The finished
product also has lower embodied energy.

Rammed Earth

Because of the potentially low manufacturing impacts, rammed earth has recently become a
highlight amongst eco-friendly and sustainable architect for a vernacular green building material for
its Eco Houses.

Rammed earth provides several advantages such as superior thermal mass, temperature and noise
control, strength and durability, low maintenance, fire proofing, load bearing and pest deterrence. In
terms of aesthetics, Rammed earth offers a natural and eco-friendly environmental ambience
because of its natural color made by aggregated earth substances.
Mycelium

Mycelium, a concrete which is capable of organic self-healing, reduces the need for high price
repairs. Its an eco-friendly insulation material that outperforms traditional fiberglass. Mycelium will be
a major step for biomass green building materials.

Ferrock

Ferrock, a carbon-negative cement alternative which offers a stronger and greener alternative to
standard cement manufacturing methods helps reduce a significant amount of carbon emission
between fuel burning to running cement mixers and chemical processes.

Any structure that is made with Ferrock cement will inevitably be longer-lasting and does
not need repairs and replacement. The eco-friendly benefits to this green cement list goes on.
Timbercrete

A combination between timber waste from various sources and concrete results in what you would
call a Timbercrate a green material that is lighter that solid concrete with greater strength and
insulating capabilities.
This green material provides unique thermal qualities that combine thermal mass and insulation
usually turned constructed for eco-housing. Timbercrete is also bushfire proof, which allows minimal
heat transfer and radiation. The other benefit is that this material is very user-friendly, which can be
nailed, screwed and sawn easily by anyone.