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sustainability

IS CONCRETE GREEN?

Well...maybe some...but if so, compared to what?

Maybe green compared to other surfaces used for countertops, (i.e. granite, or countless other petroleum/resin based solid surfaces that the big box stores promote such as sileston, quartize etc.

Some estimates rank cement production (one of the main ingredients for traditional concrete) as the 3rd highest global producer of greenhouse gas. (right behind fossil fuel and de-forestation) In light of this, it is paramount to reduce and/or replace the amount of cement in concrete as much as possible. We're anxious about transitioning to a carbon-constrained economy because it can present exciting new opportunities for building designs.

HOW TO MAKE CONCRETE GREENER?

  • Replace some of the cement content with other reactive pozzolans that are recycled, (i.e. fly ash, slag cement, silica fume, metakaolin, etc.) DONE!

  • Use local based sands and aggregates. DONE!

  • Replace aggregates with recycled materials such as glass. DONE!

  • Or to discover a new product to completely take the place of cement. DONE!

  • Rockwater Arts uses a new product called Ecocrete that has no cement and is 90% recycled products.

    "Sustainability takes forever.. and that's the point!"

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