Going green-crete: Building a sustainable future with eco-friendly concrete

Photo by Michael Fousert on Unsplash

As someone who lives in the EU, I’m sure you’ve noticed how much construction is happening in your area. Everywhere you look, new buildings, bridges, and roads are being built, and they all have one thing in common: they’re made of concrete. 

Although we welcome growth and expansion, did you know that concrete is not very environmentally friendly? In fact, it’s responsible for a significant amount of CO2 emissions – between 4 to 8% of global emissions, to be exact. Fortunately, there are ways to build with more sustainable concrete, and in this article, I’ll explain what they are and why they’re important.

What is concrete and why is it not good for the environment?
Concrete is a composite material made up of water, aggregate (such as sand and gravel), and cement. Cement is the most essential component of concrete, and it’s responsible for holding everything together. Unfortunately, cement production is one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for up to 8% of global CO2 emissions. The cement-making process requires a lot of energy, and it involves heating limestone and other raw materials to very high temperatures, which releases large amounts of CO2.

Come on over sustainability!
Fortunately, there are several types of sustainable concrete that can reduce the environmental impact of construction projects. One of the most popular types is known as “green concrete,” which is made using industrial waste materials, such as fly ash, slag, and silica fume, as partial substitutes for cement. These waste materials are by-products of other industrial processes, and using them in concrete production reduces the amount of cement required. This, in turn, reduces the amount of CO2 emissions associated with concrete production.

Another type of sustainable concrete is called “geopolymer concrete,” which is made by mixing an alkali activator (such as sodium hydroxide) with a source of silica and alumina (such as fly ash or slag). This chemical reaction produces a cement-like material that can be used in construction. Geopolymer concrete has the potential to be a more sustainable alternative to traditional concrete, as it produces much lower greenhouse gas emissions than cement production.

Sustainable concrete and the EU
Several cities and towns in the EU are already using more sustainable concrete in their construction projects. For example, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, a bridge made of green concrete was built using a combination of recycled materials, such as blast furnace slag and recycled concrete. The bridge was constructed using a prefabrication method, which reduced the amount of waste generated during the construction process. In fact, Rotterdam is filled with great green-powered architecture to inspire us. Just take a look here. 

Meanwhile in the UK, a new type of concrete known as “Carbon8 aggregate” is being used to build roads. This sustainable concrete is made using waste materials such as incinerator ash and CO2, which are mixed together to produce a lightweight, durable material that can be used for road construction. This not only reduces the amount of waste that would otherwise be sent to landfills, but it also helps to reduce the carbon footprint of road construction.

What can the EU do?
The EU can incorporate more sustainable concrete in several ways, such as encouraging the use of green concrete and geopolymer concrete in construction projects, investing in research and development of new sustainable materials, and implementing policies that promote sustainable construction practices. This is crucial because, as previously mentioned, the construction industry is responsible for a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing these emissions is crucial for mitigating the effects of climate change.

Will concrete ever be 100% recyclable?
Sadly not, writes Anne Mestvedhagen in this insightful article about green concrete. “As [is the case] for any other material that draw on non-renewable resources and is not 100% recycled.” However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. “It is possible to make concrete less unsustainable,” explains Mestvedhagen. “That is what researchers and the concrete industry are currently working on.” 

Final words
Building with more sustainable concrete is a solution for a greener future. By using sustainable concrete in construction projects, we can reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry and help to mitigate the effects of climate change. There are already several real-life examples of sustainable concrete use in the EU, and I look forward to seeing many more in the near future!

What are your thoughts? Let me know on LinkedIn and let’s start a discussion!