How to build greener and smarter.
A series of short videos in English
Buildings and infrastructure account for nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the sector consumes limited resources at a rate of 40 billion tons of raw materials annually. The LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction has produced six short films collectively titled "The Propositions for Circular Construction," each focusing on an important aspect of reuse and closed-loop materials. The films follow expert discussions at the LafargeHolcim Forum on the reuse of materials in construction and present selected solutions that will help achieve net-zero emissions targets in the construction and infrastructure sectors.
Build greener and smarter (summary)
We need to build greener and smarter. Buildings and infrastructure account for 40% of the global carbon footprint and consume limited resources. A series of videos titled. "The Propositions for Circular Construction," produced by the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction, presents solutions to move toward a closed-loop material flow.
Produce leaner (Produce leaner)
In order to reduce the amount of raw materials extracted from the earth each year, we need to move from a wasteful "take-make-throw" model to a closed-loop "take-make-repeat" economy. Increasing material efficiency, using by-products and reusing resources can transform the materials supply chain.
Reconfigure parts (Reconfigure parts)
Materials with only one function have a short life cycle and are discarded as waste after use. This is dangerous in a world where resources are limited. A circular cradle-to-cradle approach redesigns building materials so that they can be reused in loops that reclaim, reinvent and reconfigure ad infinitum.
Mine the city (Mine the city)
Reclaiming materials makes economic and environmental sense. Resource extraction from decommissioned structures in cities can provide large quantities of minerals and metals. Urban mining reduces the rate of resource extraction and the volume of landfills.
Think locally (Think local)
Using local materials and know-how brings social and economic benefits. Local materials can reduce emissions associated with production and transportation, and leverage local resources, know-how and labor. Investing in local production introduces long-term positive changes in material flows.
Measure performance
It is important to consider the environmental, social and economic impact of each building. Material productivity and resource efficiency must be taken into account to determine the optimal mix for efficient construction, use and recycling of buildings.
Transformbuildings (Transform buildings)
Most buildings have value in the future beyond their original intended use. Designing structures for adaptation and cleverly transforming buildings rather than completely replacing them can extend their life and preserve their historic fabric, as well as make projects more interesting and sustainable.
Compiled from LAFARGE Polska company press materials.
Propositions for Circular Construction - Short Descriptions. Ideas on how to build greener and smarter
Buildings and infrastructure account for almost 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions and the sector consumes finite resources at the rate of 40 billion tons of raw material every year. The LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction has produced six short videos that each focus on an important aspect of circular materials flows. The videos follow-on from expert discussions at the LafargeHolcim Forum on Re-materializing Construction and cover a selection of solutions to help reach net-zero targets for the building and infrastructure sector.
Build greener and smarter (summary)
We need to build greener and smarter. Buildings and infrastructure account for 40% of the global carbon footprint and consume finite resources. The Propositions for Circular Construction short video series of the LafargeHolcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction showcase solutions to shift to circular material flows.
Produce leaner
To reduce the amount of raw material extracted from the earth each year, we need to move from a wasteful take-make-throw model to a circular take-make-repeat economy. Increasing material efficiency, using byproducts and reusing resources can transform the materials supply chain.
Re-configure parts
Materials with only one function have short lifecycles and are discarded as waste after use. This is dangerous in a world with finite resources. A circular cradle-to-cradle approach redesigns building materials so they can be reused in loops that recover, reimagine and reconfigure indefinitely.
Mine the city
Reclaiming materials is economically and environmentally sensible. Resource extraction from decommissioned structures in cities can provide large quantities of mineral resources and metals. Urban mining reduces the rate of raw material extraction and the volume of landfill.
Think local
Using local materials and know-how has social and economic benefits. Local materials can reduce emissions from production and transportation, and capitalize on local resources, know-how and labor. Investing in local production makes a long-term positive change to material flows.
Measure performance
It's important to consider the environmental, social and economic impact of any building. Material performance and resource efficiency must be taken into consideration to determine the optimum blend for efficient building construction, use and recycling.
Transform buildings
Most buildings have value in the future beyond their originally planned use. Designing structures for adaptation and cleverly converting buildings rather than replacing them entirely can extend building lifespans and preserve historic fabric, as well as make projects more interesting and sustainable.
For more info, check LAFARGE Polska subpage on A&B site.
