|
Green guru tackles green building materials
 Manufacturers of building materials will want to check out this discussion of what one expert is recommending to buyers of green building materials on GreenerBuildings.com.
Packaging is not the only field grappling with sustainability. Green buildings, architecture and green construction is another huge area of sustainability.
For this special issue focused toward the building materials industry,
we thought we would take a quick look at what the current thinking is with regard to 'green' building materials.
On GreenerBuildings.com,
architect and green building guru Eric Corey Freed authors a monthly "Ask the Green Architect" column. In his inaugural column, he answers the top-ten asked questions on green buildings. For this issue of Production & Packaging Reporter, we'll hone in on the discussion related specifically to green building materials.
One of the questions that Freed tackles is eerily reminiscent of packaging: Which is better: a recycled material or a natural material? Of course, the answer turns out to be the same as it is for packaging: there is no correct answer, since there are pros and cons associated with every material. Ultimately, it really depends on the specific goal in mind. Freed cites an example of a kitchen countertop. In that case, he argues the most important goal shold be to maximize indoor air quality and the health of the inhabitants. As a result, he would select non-toxic and non-off-gassing materials. And that doesn't automatically mean natural over synthetic. He cites the example of wood, which can off-gas due to naturally occurring formaldehyde within. Who knew?
With regard to plastic materials, he urges architects to demand recycled-content plastic materials to create and sustain recycling markets. He himself plans to phase in the use of recycled-content plastics over the next five to seven years.
What constitutes a green building material?
Like in packaging, there are no easy answers. Freed cites concrete as an example. At first glance, seems to be green enough, since it's non-off-gassing, is made from natural sand, stone and water. However, one of concrete's main ingredients, Portland Cement, releases a "ton" of greenhouse gas because it must be heated to very high temperatures during processing. Not so green. Turns out, however, you can replace up to half the Portland Cement with fly ash. Normally fly ash, a by-product of the coal industry, is land-filled, where it's at risk of leaching mercury into the water table. But "trapping" it in concrete reportedly makes concrete stronger and keeps the material out of landfills. No word on whether it leaches mercury out onto the sidewalk!
One final nugget Freed offers is these six questions to ask when looking at any green building material. Many of these could easily be asked about green packaging materials as well.
- Where did this material come from?
- What are the by-products of its' manufacturer?
- How is the material delivered and installed?
- How is the material maintained and operated?
- How healthy are the materials?
- What do we do with them once we are done with these materials?
|
Matthews New OEM Ink-Jet Controller >>
Marking the Ends of Plastic Lumber>>
Nail Marking Patterns Improve Nailing Accuracy>>
Bar Code Printing on PVC Pipes>>
Visit Us at IMTS!>>
Visit Us at Pack Expo!>>