One of the trends seen in the construction industry recently is a focus on sustainable construction. Focusing on sustainability is important in any industry, but it’s especially important in the construction industry as it is responsible for 36 percent of worldwide energy usage and 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, according to statistics from the International Energy Agency (IEA), an international forum for energy cooperation. Sustainable construction is good for both the environment, for the companies utilizing it, and more.

What Is It?
Sustainable construction can be defined as having the end goal of a construction project to go beyond the building itself and also creating a healthy environment that’s based on ecological principles, such as reducing the industry’s environmental impact. Charles Kilbert, a professor with the M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management at the University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning, maintained that sustainable construction should focus on six principles: “conserve, reuse, recycle/renew, protect nature, create non-toxic and high quality.”

Sustainable construction can include using renewable and recyclable resources, reducing energy consumption and waste, utilizing sustainable materials, employing energy efficiency principles, creating a healthy environment, utilizing green technology, and protecting surrounding ecosystems.

What Are the Benefits?
Obviously, using sustainable construction is good for the environment by protecting resources, minimizing waste, and reducing harmful chemicals, gases, and other materials. However, sustainable construction has additional benefits as well.

For one, many studies have found that sustainable construction offers benefits to those who utilize the spaces. “Green buildings” have been linked with an increase in cognitive performance, improved decision-making, and overall satisfaction.

Sustainable construction can also benefit the construction companies that use it as well. There is a benefit to a company’s reputation as a sustainable company, but sustainable construction can have benefits to a company’s bottom line as well. Costs can be reduced through minimizing waste, using recycled materials, savings on fuel and energy, and more.

While converting to sustainable construction is not something that happens overnight, it is a move that can benefit both the company, its clients, and the environment.

Tucker Paving has over 25 years of experience in the asphalt and concrete paving construction industry, and we put a lot of focus on sustainable construction. For example, we accept used asphalt and concrete, recycle it, and sell it as recycled aggregate as part of our commitment to sustainable practices! Call us at (863) 299-2262, or contact us online, for your next asphalt or concrete construction project!