As the building industry grows, it tends to progress with the times. As such, sustainable building practices come into the consciousness more and more. This includes making eco-friendly choices. These choices relate to the materials, from manufacturing to transport, and many other factors. As installers, you are a little more reliant on the supplier making a conscious effort to be more eco-friendly. However, several things can be done on-site to make the project more sustainable and eco-friendly.
What are sustainable building practices?
Sustainable building practices, also known as green building practices, aim to create structures that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life cycle. This involves the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition of buildings.
- Energy efficiency: Sustainable buildings often include systems for using less energy. This might involve installing solar panels, wind turbines, or other renewable energy sources. It could also include the use of energy-efficient appliances and lighting, as well as designs that take advantage of natural light and heat.
- Water efficiency: Involves the use of low-flow faucets and toilets, rainwater harvesting systems, and greywater recycling.
- Material efficiency: This involves using sustainable, recyclable, or reused materials in the construction process. It could also involve practices that reduce waste during construction.
- Indoor environmental quality enhancement: Involves using paints and other materials that don't emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ensuring good ventilation, and designing spaces that maximise natural light.
- Operations and maintenance optimisation: Ensuring that the building continues to operate efficiently and sustainably over the long term. This occurs through practices such as regular maintenance and upgrades, as well as monitoring of energy and water use.
- Site sustainability: This involves considerations about the building's location, its impact on the local environment, and the use of landscaping to enhance energy efficiency and water conservation. It might also involve planning for public transportation access to reduce reliance on private vehicles.
- Waste reduction: Waste reduction strategies may be used in both the construction and operation of the building, including recycling programs and composting.
To measure and encourage sustainable building, several rating systems have been developed around the world. In the UK, the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) measures such practices.
Eco-friendly practices
Making an external wall insulation project more eco-friendly involves considering the lifecycle of materials, energy efficiency, and waste management.
Use Eco-friendly insulation materials
In the context of an eco-friendly insulation project, the choice of materials is paramount. Instead of traditional materials like fibreglass, one could use eco-friendly insulation options such as sheep's wool, cellulose (which is often made from recycled newsprint), cork, and wood fibre. These materials not only have excellent insulating properties, but they are also renewable, biodegradable, and require less energy to produce compared to traditional insulation materials.
Even materials like EPS and Mineral Wool are recyclable. Mineral Wool is inherently natural and infinitely recyclable, however, manufacturers are making significant strides to ensure that EPS off-cuts are collected and recycled. Therefore, there is less wastage. Styrene in particular has invested heavily in EPS recycling:
"I’d like to get in something about the EPS before render being 100% recyclable meaning all offcuts from the site are returned and put back into other insulation materials. EPS is falsely frowned upon in some aspects due to people not being aware of these credentials and our investment in our recycling infrastructure." (Simon Rogers, Styrene)
Life cycle analysis
When choosing insulation materials, it's important to consider the entire lifecycle of the product - from sourcing and manufacturing to installation, use, and end-of-life. This holistic approach, often referred to as Life Cycle Analysis(LCA), helps to gauge the total environmental impact of a material. For instance, if a product has a low impact during use but a high impact during production or disposal, it may not be the most eco-friendly choice. LCA enables you to select materials that minimise environmental harm at every stage of their lifecycle.
Use of local materials
Using locally sourced materials can substantially decrease the environmental footprint of your insulation project. Local materials eliminate the need for long-distance transportation, thereby reducing carbon emissions associated with the project. Additionally, using local materials can support the local economy and often ensures that materials are better suited to local climate conditions.
Proper installation
Even the most eco-friendly insulation material can underperform if not installed correctly. Proper installation ensures the insulation works effectively, reducing the energy required to heat or cool the building. This in turn lowers the building's greenhouse gas emissions and reduces energy costs. Techniques such as ensuring air tightness, and taking care not to compress the insulation optimise its performance.
Waste management
Creating a waste management plan is a crucial part of any eco-friendly project. For an insulation project, this could mean recycling any offcuts or waste material produced during installation. The packaging of the insulation material also needs to be considered. Opting for materials with minimal or recyclable packaging can significantly reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
Energy-efficient manufacturing processes
Selecting insulation materials that are manufactured using energy-efficient methods can also reduce the overall environmental impact of your project. Some manufacturers use renewable energy sources to power their production processes or have implemented measures to reduce their energy use. The carbon involved in manufacturing is split into embodied and operational carbon.
- Embodied carbon refers to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted during the manufacture, transport, and construction of building materials, together with end-of-life emissions. It is a one-time carbon footprint that occurs during the material's production phase, hence the term 'embodied'. Selecting materials produced with energy-efficient methods or renewable energy helps reduce the embodied carbon of the material. For insulation materials, choosing options that have lower embodied carbon, such as those made from recycled or natural materials, is a key part of an eco-friendly approach.
- Operational carbon refers to the emissions that are generated during the use phase of a building, primarily from heating, cooling, and power usage. By using well-chosen insulation materials, the amount of energy required to maintain comfortable temperatures in a building can be significantly reduced. Therefore lowering the operational carbon. In an eco-friendly insulation project, both the embodied carbon of the insulation material itself and the operational carbon of the resulting building need to be considered. An insulation material might have a slightly higher embodied carbon. However, if it is significantly more effective at insulating the building, the overall reduction in operational carbon could result in a lower total carbon footprint over the building's lifecycle.
Sustainable maintenance and repair
Sustainability should be considered not just during installation but also throughout the lifespan of the insulation. This could involve using eco-friendly materials when repairs are needed and implementing a maintenance schedule to ensure the insulation continues to perform optimally. Regular checks and proper maintenance can extend the life of the insulation, reducing the need for replacement materials.
Durability
The durability of an insulation material is another important factor to consider. Materials that are durable and long-lasting are often more eco-friendly because they need to be replaced less frequently. This not only reduces the environmental impact associated with manufacturing new materials but also reduces costs over time.
Recycling and disposal
At the end of the insulation's life, planning for its environmentally-friendly disposal is crucial. Some insulation materials can be recycled, reducing the need for new materials and saving energy. If recycling is not an option, the material should be disposed of in a way that minimises harm. Before you choose an insulation material, research your options for recycling or disposing of it.
Let us know if there are any other strategies you use to make your project more eco-friendly!