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Sustainable Building Materials Help Save the Environment
We hear a lot about sustainable products these days because we are polluting our planet too much. It’s not just a problem in the U.S., it’s a global issue. Most of us are not aware of the sheer volume of resources that go into building a home or commercial building. If we are not building with sustainable materials, much of those resources are wasted.
What can we do to help save the environment when it comes to building materials? The simple answer is to use sustainable materials to experience their benefits. Log homes built with pine log siding and flooring are prime examples of going green.
What Are Sustainable Building Materials?
Sustainable building materials are those that are environmentally (ECO) friendly. They produce little to no waste or pollution in the air, water, or soil. Our country has successfully used wood in general and pine specifically to accomplish this goal.
Pine for log siding, flooring, furniture, construction, and many other products produces little waste for landfills. What’s left over after completing a project is typically used for another project. Whereas, materials like drywall, synthetic flooring, concrete, and roofing are thrown away and not recycled or repurposed.
Homes, cabins, garages, workshops, retail stores, and other structures made with pine wood are participating in the ‘green’ movement. Many factories and mills use pine trees that are grown on federally-approved tree farms. When a stand of them is harvested, new seedlings are planted in their place. This effort ensures a steady supply of pine wood for future generations. Unfortunately, hardwood trees are only replanted in limited supply.
Sustainable Building Materials Produce Less Waste for Landfills
Landfills are growing in number around the world, and they can create insurmountable problems. As of 2021, the United States has more than 3,000 active landfills and 10,000 closed landfills. These are some of their hidden dangers we live with:
- Landfill fires
- Greenhouse gases
- Other harmful emissions
- Health concerns
- Odors, bugs, and rats
- Groundwater contamination
- Soil and land pollution
- Animals become sick
Sustainable building materials limit these kinds of waste because they can be reused with or without modification, repurposed, or recycled. In the case of pine trees already mentioned, they are replanted by the thousands each year. Newer building materials are being developed that produce less waste and harmful issues. Learn more about the dangers of landfills from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
“What can we do to help save the environment when it comes to building materials? The simple answer is to use sustainable materials to experience their benefits.”
They Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Use Less Water and Energy
Sustainable building materials give off far less carbon dioxide and other harmful products compared to non-sustainable materials. Landfills can also produce these issues:
- Methane Gas
- Water Vapor
- Nitrogen
- Hydrogen
- VOCs
Landfills become highly acidic over time because they mix with the moisture present in them. This action causes certain nutrients to dissolve that create nitrogen and phosphorus. Diverse species of bacteria consume oxygen and create carbon dioxide and hydrogen. These gases can also contribute to climate change and create smog if left undetected and uncontrolled.
Many components of landfills can cause harmful gas emissions. They include the waste’s composition, age of the refuse, amount of oxygen, moisture content, and temperature.
Efforts are being made to control waste material issues but they are not yet enough.
Sustainable Building Materials Use Less Energy and Water
Using ‘green’ building materials and practices lead to long-term savings with reduced energy consumption, water conservation, and lower maintenance costs. Manufacturing and milling green materials such as pine wood siding and flooring are achieved with less energy and no water waste. There are no synthetic materials involved in producing and installing them that generally end up in some landfills.
Building with renewable materials like pine wood helps reduce the extraction of natural resources and minimize waste products. Efficiently insulated log homes and buildings can reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gases, and help conserve energy resources.
Safer Air, Water, and Soil for Humans and Wildlife
Log homeowners can improve their indoor air quality by using stains, finishes, and paints that emit low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. The air quality is further improved by installing formaldehyde-free insulation to reduce harmful pollutants and chemicals. Home and business occupants enjoy healthier living conditions and improved well-being.
Green building materials also reduce air, water, and soil pollution in landfills and waste storage areas. This improves the atmosphere for landfill workers, groundwater, and wildlife living in the area. Building with sustainable materials is a win-win situation anywhere in the world.
