In recent
years, as society has become more aware of the pressures facing the
environment, companies across all sectors and industries have started to take a
more active effort to act responsibly. From offices going paperless to catering
businesses recycling food waste, there’s certainly been an increase in the
number of businesses becoming more eco-friendly.
As one of
the leading contributors to waste in the UK, the construction industry is also
under pressure to use more sustainable practices. One of the simplest yet most
effective ways to do so is to opt for environmentally-friendly building
materials when beginning new construction projects. These include:
Recycled plastic
It’s no
secret that the world is currently waging a war against plastic. However, it’s
not necessarily plastic that’s the problem, but the fact it often isn’t
recycled properly. Using recycled plastic throughout construction projects is a
great way to minimise the volume that ends up in landfills or in the ocean, and
make use of a durable, versatile and lightweight material. Recycled plastic can
be used to create roofing tiles, windows, bricks and carpeting, and is,
therefore, an extremely useful material across all building applications.
Mycelium
In recent
years, more and more companies have experimented with mycelium, which is
produced from the fibres of fungi found underground, in a bid to reduce their
carbon footprint. Mycelium can be used to create bricks, composite boards and
even packaging, and is celebrated for its strength, versatility and resistance
to water and fire.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a
highly sustainable plant as it grows in abundance and doesn’t require the use
of fertilisers to thrive. It’s also extremely lightweight yet strong, making it
an attractive material for use in construction. Bamboo has been used for
construction purposes in parts of Asia and America for centuries, however, its
long list of useful qualities means it’s become a popular tool across the world
in recent years. In particular, bamboo is used to construct floors, walls and
roofing, and has also been used to build entire homes.
Rammed earth
Rammed
earth, like its name suggests, is produced from soil and aggregates which have
been compacted and moulded into a dense material. Rammed earth can be used in a
variety of construction projects due to its long list of beneficial qualities,
including high levels of strength, durability and insulation. As it’s quick and
easy to produce, and can be constructed from sustainable materials, rammed
earth is a popular building material for companies hoping to minimise their
environmental impact. It’s often used in the construction of walls and
flooring.
Recycled aggregates
Using
recycled materials as much as possible is essential for companies hoping to
adopt more sustainable practices. After all, using recycled materials - such as recycled aggregates
- reduces the volume of virgin
materials that must be obtained and processed, and also the volume of gravel,
concrete and sand that ends up in landfill. Recycled aggregates are a
particularly useful material for construction projects of all kinds, and can be
used to build roads, railways, trenches and more.
If you’re in need of high-quality recycled
aggregates or reclaimed stone for your upcoming construction project, look no
further than W M Thompson & Son for a service you can rely on. We’re
committed to supplying only the best and most environmentally-friendly building
materials to our customers in Glasgow and beyond, in addition to offering
landfill services, ready-mix concrete and more. For more information about our
range of services,
get in touch
with W M Thompson & Son today.
