Best Practices for Material Use in Sustainable Construction

CONCRETE THAT BREATHES: HOW CARBON-CAPTURING CONCRETE IS CHANGING THE FUTURE OF CONSTRUCTION: 🟢 CAN CONCRETE HELP FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE ? Surprisingly, yes—and it’s happening right now. We all know concrete is essential. It quite literally supports our world—from roads and bridges to buildings and sidewalks. But there’s a hidden cost: concrete production contributes up to 8% of global CO₂ emissions, largely from cement manufacturing. That’s a serious challenge—but also an incredible opportunity. 🌱 THE RISE OF CARBON CAPTURING CONCRETE Enter a game-changing innovation: carbon-capturing concrete—a new generation of concrete that doesn’t just reduce emissions… it absorbs them. Companies like CarbonCure inject captured CO₂ directly into the concrete mix. There, it mineralizes into calcium carbonate, strengthening the concrete and locking away carbon permanently. Other innovators like Blue Planet Systems are replacing traditional aggregates with synthetic limestone made from CO₂. And research into algae-based binders is paving the way for carbon-negative concrete. In essence, we’re turning a climate problem into part of the solution. 🧱 HOW IT WORKS (SIMPLY) CO₂ is captured from industrial sources. It’s injected into the concrete mix. The CO₂ reacts and becomes a stable mineral inside the concrete. The structure gains strength—and the carbon stays locked away forever. 💡 Why It Matters ✅ Lower emissions (up to 30% reduction) ✅ Stronger and more durable concrete ✅ Seamless integration into current construction workflows ✅ Permanent carbon sequestration All without changing how we build. ⚠️ Challenges Remain Wider adoption depends on: Scaling production cost-effectively Gaining trust in conservative sectors Navigating local codes and approvals But the momentum is real—and growing fast 🌍 A BREATH OF FRESH AIR FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENR Carbon-capturing concrete represents more than just material innovation. It’s a paradigm shift—a chance to reimagine the way we build in harmony with the planet. The next time you walk across a new bridge or step into a new office building, it might be made with concrete that breathes—a material that remembers the past, but builds for the future. 🔗 Curious about carbon-smart construction? Let’s connect and share ideas. #SustainableConstruction #CarbonCure #GreenBuilding #ConcreteInnovation #ClimateAction #NetZero #ConstructionTech FOR YOUR SPECIFIC CONCRETE ISSUES- SEE THE CONCRETE DR.Jon Belkowitz, PhD, PE

Hemp, architecture, and carbon credits come together in a sustainable synergy for the construction industry's environmental goals. Hemp's Carbon Sequestration Hemp acts as a potent natural carbon sink by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. Studies indicate that hemp can sequester more CO2 per hectare than forests or traditional crops. Hemp in Construction Creating Carbon Negative Materials Hempcrete By mixing hemp's woody inner core (hurd) with a lime-based binder and water, hempcrete is formed as a lightweight, insulating building material. Carbon Lock-In When hempcrete is utilized in buildings, the carbon absorbed by the hemp plant remains locked in the material for extended periods. Negative Carbon Footprint Structures made with hempcrete can achieve a carbon-negative status, surpassing the CO2 absorption of their production and construction phases combined. This innovative approach showcases how hemp's unique properties can revolutionize construction practices, offering an eco-friendly solution with significant environmental benefits. #Sustainability #CarbonNeutral #Innovation

Is Your Next Construction Project a Climate Hero or Villain? The experts are practically shouting from the rooftops that we need to team up, pool our resources, and make some hard data-driven choices. A recent study, "Building Materials and the Climate: Constructing a New Future" by UN Environment Programme shows that we might be focusing on the wrong things when it comes to construction and climate change. The way forward lies not just in reducing "operational carbon," but in fundamentally changing how we approach construction. Here are three key ways: - Recycle: Prioritize the use of existing materials through reconstruction, refurbishment, or repurposing before considering new construction projects - Regenerate: Opt for materials that are not only sustainable but also locally sourced to reduce transportation emissions and support the local economy. - Decarbonize: Minimize the carbon footprint of traditional materials like concrete and steel, and explore designs that can be disassembled for future use. It's for this very reason that “place” is one of Liveable's 5Ps—considering the physical spaces we spend time in crucial for a holistic approach to the health of the people and the planet. And if we keep going at it alone or skimp on the funding, hitting that net-zero emissions goal in construction will just be pie in the sky. #sustainability #construction #liveablefutures