Sustainability is no longer a buzzword; it’s a necessity, especially within the building industry. As people become more environmentally conscious and sustainable development becomes a cry across the world, many builders in Australia are changing their ways of doing things to lower their carbon footprint and ensure eco-friendly construction methods. Here are seven ways builders are embracing sustainable business practices.
1.Sustainable Materials
When it comes to reducing the environmental impact of new builds, builders are increasingly using sustainable materials that have a low environmental impact. Most of the raw materials used are normally locally available (where possible), hence reducing the carbon footprint from transportation.
Research indicates that there is increased application of sustainable materials like bamboo, recycled steel, and reclaimed wood in recent times. These materials are not only durable but also help to reduce the quantity of waste and preserve natural resources. For example, compared with virgin steel production, recycled steel—produced using waste products—requires much less energy and has much fewer GHG emissions – which is essential.
- Eco-Friendly Material
Aside from embracing sustainable materials, Australian builders like Venaso are also looking at eco-friendly material that can create a healthier interior. Such materials do not contain toxic chemicals and have low VOC emissions – which makes them significantly better for the occupants and the indoor environment.
As you may expect, the demand for eco-friendly materials like low-VOC paints, natural fibre insulation, and sustainable flooring options is reaching fever pitch which is driving costs. In spite of the cost, it’s important to acknowledge that such eco-friendly materials not only help in supporting environmental sustainability but also the well-being of the occupants.
- Water Conservation and Management.
Water conservation is one of the critical elements of practices in sustainable building. Nowadays, designers and builders incorporate water-saving technologies and practices to reduce the volume of water use by promoting efficient water management. The techniques involve rainwater harvesting, grey water recycling, and the use of water-efficient fixtures, which have become very common in sustainable construction. It has been shown that buildings with water conservation measures can reduce up to 30% of water usage, significantly mitigating the impact of the building stock on local water supplies.
- Sustainable Waste Management
Effective waste management is – without question, one of the important aspects in creating green practices in the building industry. Preventive and minimizing waste through improved waste management processes for sustainability is being implemented by the builders in building projects while enhancing recycling. By way of an example, separating waste at the source and proper disposal can reduce its impact on the environment to a great extent.
The latest data from one Australian study into sustainable waste shows that sustainable waste management may reduce construction waste by up to 50% – which can’t be ignored.
- Material Recycling
In Australia, the construction industry is one of the largest users of materials. So when it comes to cutting down on new materials, material recycling is right at the top of the list of priorities. Hard materials like concrete are one of the biggest contributors to material waste. Recycled concrete is old concrete that has been crushed and reprocessed to offer significant savings in terms of the need to extract new aggregate and reducing energy-intensive processes necessary to manufacture traditional concrete. This approach not only conserves natural resources but also curtails landfill accumulation by reusing most construction wastes.
- Energy-Efficient Building Practices
The sustainability of buildings is measured by just how energy efficient they can be AFTER the build – not just during the building process. The lion share of attention and focus is given to energy-efficient materials and technologies that help lower the general level of consumption by a building.
High-performance insulation materials, such as aerated concrete blocks and hempcrete, offer very high thermal properties, hence reducing heating and cooling demands in a building. Also, energy-efficient lighting, solar panels, and smart home technologies can contribute to a building’s energy performance, saving a lot over time.
- Eco-Friendly Design
Eco-friendly design principles are increasingly becoming a staple focus in new home build projects. Those passive design strategies that the builders remain focused on include those intended towards maximizing energy efficiency through the correct orientation and layout of buildings, coupled with various ways of facilitating natural ventilation.
Green roofs, vertical gardens, and sustainable landscaping ensure a more aesthetic built environment besides impacting on the diversity of local biodiversity and improving urban air quality. All these design features are very critical in terms of sustainable liveable environments for occupants and for the greater good of the community at large.
By adopting these best sustainable practices, Australian builders not only contribute immensely to the preservation of the environment but also meet increasing consumer demands for eco-friendly construction processes. The commitment to sustainability will continue evolving with the changing industry and pave a greener path ahead for the construction sector.
References
- Quality Seal Australia. “Sustainable Building Materials: Transforming the Australian Construction Landscape.”
- Wunderbuild. “Pioneering Sustainability: Australian Construction Embraces Sustainable Materials and Techniques.”
- Archify Australia. “Sustainable Building Materials: A Guide to Eco-Friendly Construction.”
- Sydney Build Expo. “Sustainable Construction in Australia: The Future.”
- G.J. Gardner Homes. “Sustainable Home Design Trends in 2024.”