Recycled paper can be used to create concrete paper, a form of sustainable concrete.
Sustainable building materials are building materials made from recycled products and resources that can be replenished in a relatively short period of time. There are many types of sustainable building materials, often referred to as green building products. Wood, stone, metal and paper are materials that can be recycled and reused as construction products. Bamboo, cork, straw and even coconut are examples of construction products that can be quickly renewed.
Some buildings were built with glass bottles.
Reclaimed wood is the most widely used recycled material for green building. The wood is taken from old structures, treated and resized for use in other projects. Using reclaimed wood preserves wood and saves energy because fewer resources are used to recycle wood than would be used to harvest, treat, plan, and transport new wood. Recycled wood can be more expensive than first-use wood due to the costs associated with its recovery and treatment. Reclaimed wood may also contain chemicals from previous treatments, which can be harmful to the environment.
Reclaimed wood is one of the most widely used sustainable building materials.
Almost all natural materials, including stone, metal, and concrete, can be reclaimed and used as sustainable building materials. The advantages and disadvantages of using them are similar to those associated with using reclaimed wood. One of the biggest concerns with using recycled natural products is the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs can be present in reclaimed materials as a result of things like paints, stains, and other chemical treatments, especially those applied before more stringent environmental standards were implemented.
It is possible to build structures made entirely from recycled rubber tires.
Easily renewable products such as bamboo and cork are becoming more common as sustainable building materials. Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that is most often used in sustainable construction projects. It replenishes quickly due to its rapid growth cycle and is versatile in its application. Bamboo is most often used as flooring and to reinforce concrete. More and more houses and buildings are being built with bamboo.
Cork is also gaining popularity as a sustainable building material. Cork harvesting requires removing the bark from the tree, but does not require cutting down the entire tree. Cork is a flooring material that is becoming more and more common in homes around the world.
Many innovations are being made in sustainable building materials. Houses made from straw bales are being built, as are structures built entirely from recycled rubber tires. Some buildings were even constructed from glass bottles or cans. Baked earth, clay and new forms of concrete are also increasingly used as sustainable building materials.