Sustainable Materials. Are What We Think of as Sustainable Materials, Really Sustainable?

Essay from the year 2015 in the subject Environmental Sciences, , language: English, abstract: This essay discusses the main question of: Which material can truly be called sustainable?

One of the biggest issues the world is facing today is environmental pollution, which is increasing rapidly each year, resulting in serious and irreparable damage to earth. The construction industry has been a major source of pollution for many years. It is responsible for 4% emissions of particulate matter, causing more water pollution than any other industry, and massive noise pollution annually. Even though the construction operations pollute the soil, the key fields of concern are air, water and noise pollution.

Pollution prevention is an essential component of sustainability. To prevent pollution, the input of materials and energy, must be reduced. Careful consideration of construction materials can result to prevent pollution and contribute to a sustainable future. Sustainable materials includes examining aspects like transparency within the supply chain, local environmental repercussions during the period of extraction, harvesting and processing, and the ability to reuse and recycle them. Many materials can be defined as sustainable, but which materials are truly sustainable?