By The construction industry fundamentally alters the natural environment, aiming to provide essential infrastructure that supports human society’s survival and growth. Construction crews transform undeveloped land into impressive skyscrapers, expansive highways, and other feats of modern engineering.
Despite its benefits, construction can also negatively impact the environment by depleting natural resources and contributing to pollution if not managed responsibly. This has led many industry players to embrace sustainable building practices. By acknowledging and mitigating their ecological footprint, construction companies can ensure their projects have a positive net effect.
Sustainability in Practice
One notable example of sustainable practices in construction is in roadwork. Traditionally, road resurfacing has been resource-intensive, requiring significant amounts of asphalt and the replacement of unstable soils. However, innovative techniques are continually being developed.
Today, road construction crews often mill and reuse existing pavement as the base for new surfaces, conserving resources and reducing landfill waste. Additionally, instead of removing and relocating wet soils, companies are employing soil stabilization methods to dry and reuse them on-site.
Sustainable principles are also evident in general contracting. Green designs incorporate features like living roofs, which use vegetation to cool buildings and improve air quality. More projects are using rapidly renewable materials like bamboo instead of traditional forestry products. The adoption of building information modeling (BIM) further enhances efficiency, reducing waste and energy consumption.
While construction remains necessary for human progress, adopting responsible practices ensures that we minimize our negative environmental impact. For more insights into the evolving landscape of construction and its essential innovations, explore the accompanying resource.
Sustainability In Construction this infographic was contributed by Rock Solid Stabilization & Reclamation, an organization specializing in projects that require full depth reclamation asphalt
