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The construction industry contributes around 30 percent of solid wastes that eventually end up in landfills

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MANILA - The construction industry contributes around 30 percent of solid wastes that eventually end up in landfills, according to some estimates. But there is a way of reducing construction waste, experts said.

Instead of using traditional methods and materials, construction companies can adopt "green building" materials and technologies, which can significantly reduce waste products, said Micaela Rosette Santos, vice chair for the Green Certification System of the Philippine Green Building Initiative.

Builders simply need to keep in mind five Rs when procuring materials for their projects: reuse, recycle, rapidly renewable, regionally sourced, and responsibly grown, Santos said.

"If it's a building or material, if you reuse it, you lessen the impact [on the environment]," Santos said.

Materials with recycled components are also preferable. Rapidly renewable building materials that come from the region where the construction project is being done also result in lesser waste.

"Sometimes they say that 'green' is expensive. [But] it just takes proper planning, the proper choice of materials to use. Sometimes it does not entail cost," she said.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a sister organization of the World Bank, created EDGE or Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies, an international green building standard for emerging economies like the Philippines.

Yuan Xu, IFC country manager for the Philippines, said green buildings can go a long way in lessening human impact on the environment.

"A building is an investment for decades. So if we can adopt the right building standards we can lock in energy savings, water savings for future generations," Yuan said.

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how construction can go 'green' | abs-cbn news

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MANILA - The construction industry contributes around 30 percent of solid wastes that eventually end up in landfills, according to some estimates. But there is a way of reducing construction waste, experts said.

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Acquiring more knowledge would be helpful in improving our understanding of the challenge. This can done by more research and also by talking to organizations or individuals with the same interests.

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The need for sustainable facilities

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A 2019 report states that there is an expected 165% increase in solid wastes in the Philippines by 2025. This is due to the fact that the generation of waste has been steadily increasing, and the laws imposed for solid waste management are not properly implemented. Improper disposal and collection of wastes are just some of the notable problems concerning waste management. The persistence of this problem would lead to environmental issues such as water and air pollution, and also health issues as it could increase the spread of diseases.

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Solid waste mismanagement in the Philippines

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Human society sustains itself by transforming nature into garbage,” said aphorist and professor Mason Cooley. Unsurprisingly, the Philippines generates more solid waste as population increases,

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Construction Industry is a Major Waste Generator

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Construction Industry is a Major Waste Generator

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Construction industry positively impacts the economy as it create jobs and public infrastructures, however, its contribution to solid waste problem cannot be ignored. Although majority of solid waste comes from residential areas, construction wastes are bigger and can be more toxic. Both legal practices such as disposal to local dumpsites and illegal practices such as burning or dumping in waterways, lead to increase waste generation, pollution and health problems.

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Bricks made of agricultural wastes was developed by researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad and KIIT School of Architecture. Agro-wastes which includes chopped paddy straws, wheat straws and sugarcane bagasse were added to a lime-based slurry to make these bio-bricks. However, these bricks are not strong enough to be used in load-bearing structures, therefore, it is not the best alternative for burnt clay bricks. Moreover, its applicability to the Philippines is still questionable since the components are specific to the common agro-wastes in India.

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Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad and KIIT School of Architecture, Bhubaneshwar, have developed bricks from agricultural waste products

Traditional brick kilns dotting countryside are a source of air pollution, though they are essential for supplying bricks to the country's growing construction industry. Another source of pollution is burning of crop stubbles or agro-waste. A new type of brick - made from bio-waste - promises to address both the problems.

Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad and KIIT School of Architecture, Bhubaneshwar, have developed bricks from agricultural waste products. They have developed a process to use dry waste like paddy straws, wheat straws and sugarcane bagasse to make bricks. It involves chopping the waste to desired size and adding it to lime-based slurry to make homogenous mixture. The mixture is poured into moulds and rammed with a wooden block to make a compact brick.

These moulds are left to dry for a day or two, after which the sides of the moulds are removed, and the brick is allowed to dry for fifteen to twenty days. It takes almost month for the bricks to attain working strength by air drying.

However, researchers said, bio-bricks are not as strong as burnt clay bricks and cannot be used directly to build load-bearing structures, but they can find use in low-cost housing in combination with wooden or metal structural framework. In addition, these bricks can bricks provide insulation against heat and sound and help in maintaining humidity of the buildings.

"This material can also be used for making panel boards or insulation boards. We hope designers could explore such applications for this sustainable material," researchers Priyabrata Rautray and Avik Roy observed in their study presented recently at the International Conference on Engineering Design.

The researchers said the new material is eco-friendly and sustainable. The team used 900 grams of sugarcane bagasse to make a single block. Burning this amount of the waste bagasse instead of repurposing it, would have released 639 grams of carbon dioxide. Not only can such much carbon be prevented from getting released in the environment, lime used in each brick absorbs 322.2 grams carbon dioxide from the air during curing, which makes it a carbon-negative or environmentally sustainable. (India Science Wire)

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Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad and KIIT School of Architecture, Bhubaneshwar, have developed bricks from agricultural waste products Traditional brick kilns dotting countryside are a source of air pollution, though they are essential for supplying bricks to the country's growing construction industry. Another source of pollution is burning of crop stubbles or agro-waste.

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Solid Waste Management in the Philippines remains to be ineffective and inefficient due to the lack of compliance to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003) from the side of the LGUs, and also behavioral problems from the side of the residents. According to Castillo & Otoma (2013), 15% - 60% are not properly disposed and only 21% of all barangays have established a Municipal Recovery Facility (MRF) even though RA 9003 requires all barangays to have this. Moreover, improper practices such as burning and littering remains to be a rampant behavioral problems among the residents.

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Globe and Green Antz partnered up to decrease the environmental impacts of single-use plastics (SUP). Wastes were collected all over Luzon through distribution partners and was converted to eco-bricks by Green Antz. These bricks will then be used to construct schools and gardens. Both companies hope that this partnership will help in initiating a greener future.

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Globe joins hands with Green Antz Builders and its distribution partners in an urgent mission to drive environmental conservation through the responsible disposal and processing of single-use plastic wastes.

The partnership is a year-long engagement to responsibly dispose and process single-use plastic waste and look for potential solutions to this growing social and environmental problem.

Single-use plastics (SUP), also called disposable plastic products, are utilized as materials in packaging and are often used just once before they are thrown away. These include grocery bags, food containers, cups, and cutlery.

"Globe recognizes that mitigating the proliferation of single-use plastics cannot be done by one organization alone. So, we make sure that the responsibility of environmental stewardship also involves its value chain such as existing distribution partners for the proper collection, transport, and processing of plastic wastes," said Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications Yoly Crisanto.

To curb SUP waste from harming the environment, Globe and Green Antz are working together to ensure that all SUPs from within Globe's headquarters are responsibly processed before transporting to the Green Antz facility in Bulacan.

Since it began the collection process in July, 14 distribution partners from Manila and Central Luzon collected over 36,000 pieces of stone papers and tarpaulins that weighed an estimated 3,520 kilograms.

The materials were sent to the Green Antz facility to be converted into 80,000 eco-bricks or 32,000 eco-casts, which can be used to build schools and gardens. Recently, more than 238,000 pieces of old stone paper and used tarpaulins will again be processed by Green Antz via its hubs in Bulacan, Cebu, CDO and Davao for conversion into eco-bricks and eco-casts. Green Antz uses eco-friendly practices and green technologies to provide building solutions.

With the success of the pilot implementation, the program will soon involve more distributors across the country next year.

"We are excited about this partnership with Globe as we can create more impact and awareness together. Green Antz is grateful for this milestone which will pave the way for a greener future. Thank you Globe for the trust and we are looking forward to more collaborations as we jointly clean up the Philippines - one brick at a time," said Romel Benig, president and chief executive officer of Green Antz Builders, Inc.

Globe's SUP-avoidance advocacy has started with its employee education campaign called WASSUP (' Wag Sa Single-Use Plastic) that tackles the impacts of plastics on the environment, resulting in banning the use of SUPs within its main corporate office.

Employees were encouraged to bring cloth bags and reusable utensils to the office to eliminate plastic bags and plastic spoons, forks, and stirrers.

SUPs are doing more harm than good to the environment, as indicated in a UN Environment Program report on Single-Use Plastics.

The said report detailed that once used, SUPs end up getting recycled, incinerated, landfilled, dumped in uncontrolled sites, or worse, littered in the environment. It is estimated that 79% of plastic waste lies in landfills, dumps, or the environment. In contrast, a measly 12% have been incinerated while just 9% were recycled.

While the Philippines is renowned for being the "center of the world's marine biodiversity," it also is notorious for its rampant use of SUPs, with the United Nations and Ocean Conservancy naming the country as the third "Worst Polluter of the World's Oceans."

Recognizing numerous threats to the environment, Globe makes environmental protection and conservation part of the company's mission.

Globe pledged to lessen its carbon footprint by actively supporting the Race To Zero global campaign spearheaded by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and COP26 Presidency and backed by the GSMA, the international mobile industry body. This activity is part of GSMA's bid to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero no later than 2050 through the collective efforts of all mobile network operators worldwide.

Together with more than 2,700 supporters across 89 jurisdictions, Globe also formally supported the globally-recognized Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) as part of its commitment to mitigating the impact of climate change through a science-based, numbers-backed report.

Globe supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), specifically UN SDG No. 12 which is on achieving economic growth and sustainable development by urgently reducing ecological footprint, and UN SDG No. 13, which is to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Globe is committed to upholding the UN Global Compact principles and contributing to 10 UN SDGs.

To know more about Globe's sustainability initiatives, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/about-us/sustainability.html.
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Globe and Green Antz partner for single-use plastic avoidance and upcycling - BusinessWorld Online

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Globe joins hands with Green Antz Builders and its distribution partners in an urgent mission to drive environmental conservation through the responsible disposal and processing of single-use plastic wastes. The partnership is a year-long engagement to responsibly dispose and process single-use plastic waste and look for potential solutions to this growing social and environmental problem.

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Despite the commercialization of plastic-based bricks, its sustainability in the long run is questionable. According to Mouton (2019), if plastics are exposed to the sun, it will break down into micro-plastics which can negatively affect the environment. Therefore, plastic-based bricks are as sustainable as it is being promoted.

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A student in Bontoc, Northern Philippines proudly holds his Ecobricks. Credit: Photo taken by Josephine Chan and Ian Christie. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

The use of single-use plastics in households has become a pariah. Many people are trying to reduce the use of single-use plastics or to recycle them. One such innovation is creating "ecobricks"-filling empty two-litre plastic bottles with single-use plastics over time-and delivering these to collection points for use in constructing low-cost houses. Schalk Mouton asks Professor Herman Potgieter, the Head of the School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, if ecobricks are really a good idea.
How to make Ecobricks
Take an empty two-litre plastic bottle. Fill it with all your single-use plastics over time. Make sure to compact the plastics properly. When full, deliver at a collection spot. These "ecobricks" will then be used to build low-cost houses.

Professor Herman Potgieter answers questions about whether the planet's plastic trash tsunami can be stopped.
Are these plastic-based ecobricks safe for the environment?
As long as the plastic keeps its original form, yes. However, plastics are not biodegradable and all plastics-no matter what form or shape they are in-are made up of small, granular pieces that are between 5 to 10 micron (0.005 to 0.01 mm) large, and will eventually break down to that size. Most plastics are also sensitive to ultraviolet light and will break down when exposed to the sun. So no, plastic is not an ideal building material.

What happens to plastics when they break down over a number of years?

Plastics take very long to break down and they usually don't break down into liquid form but as smaller solids, called micro-plastics. Nobody really knows how long it takes for plastic to break down into its chemical compounds-it could be hundreds or thousands of years. Micro-plastics can cause tremendous environmental problems.

Credit: Wits University

How do these plastics affect the environment in the long-run?
Plastics have a devastating effect on the fauna of the planet's oceans. These small plastic particles can cause havoc for animals such as whales and fish. In one instance, a dead fish was found with 22kg of plastic in its stomach.

Can chemicals result from plastic breaking down affect human, animal or plant health?

Not really, but plastics and micro-plastics of any size can pose a threat to living organisms. In the sea, they can block whales' digestive tracts, entangle sea turtles, and affect the photosynthesis of algae. They're also a problem in rivers and fresh water lakes. It could be that when you drink water out of a plastic bottle, you are ingesting micro-plastics. Nobody really knows what the consequences are for the health of the consumer. It's best to take no chances-don't drink out of plastic bottles. Micro-plastics and microbeads (in various commercial products such as facewash and tooth paste) can be hazardous in the long term and microbeads have been banned in various products.

What is a better way to dispose of plastics in an environmentally friendly manner?

Ecobricks are an example of low-grade recycling, which is better than no recycling. High-grade recycling refers to recycling of the same product, that is, recycling plastic bottles to be reused as plastic bottles. Another solution is to make products from biodegradable bioplastics. Yet another solution is just not to use plastic products where there are alternatives. At the Wits School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, we are researching ways to break plastics down-through the process of purolisis-into its original forms, such as liquid carbohydrates and oils. We can then use these products in generating energy for industrial processes. Through these processes, we can add much more value to the recycling of plastics in generating energy, which can lead to job creation, rather than merely using them in low-tech, low-cost recycling practices such as ecobricks.

Overall, is the idea of building houses with plastic bottles a good idea?

There are better ways to dispose of plastics, or to recycle them. If you use these plastic bottles as "bricks," you have to use something to bind them together. If you use normal cement, it has a quite a high pH of 12.5 (alkaline), so there is a possibility that there can be an interaction between the plastic and the cement, which can affect the structural integrity of the building. Plastics are also highly flammable. If a house built with plastic bottles catches fire, it will burn out of control, releasing highly toxic gasses such as dioxins, furans, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls into the atmosphere. Further, burning of poly vinyl chloride liberates hazardous halogens and pollutes the air, the impact of which is climate change.

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Are ecobricks the answer to plastic pollution?

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The use of single-use plastics in households has become a pariah. Many people are trying to reduce the use of single-use plastics or to recycle them. One such innovation is creating "ecobricks"-filling empty two-litre plastic bottles with single-use plastics over time-and delivering these to collection points for use in constructing low-cost houses.

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Plastic Flamingo or the Plaf is a social enterprise in the Philippines. Its main activity is to collect plastic wastes and transform them to sustainable construction materials -- such as eco-bricks and eco-lumber. These materials can be used for housing, building schools and shelters.

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During their one-year honeymoon, cycling from France to Cambodia, founders Francois & Charlotte were mesmerized by nature showing itself at its best and at the same time being confronted with how mass consumerism and the production of cheap plastic has led to enormous plastic waste pollution we all know today.

This led to the creation of The Plaf, also known as The Plastic Flamingo, a social enterprise based in the Philippines that collects and transforms plastic waste into a range of sustainable construction materials which can be used to build new schools, housing, and shelters to help make this country more resilient against its many natural hazards the country faces yearly.

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During their one-year honeymoon, cycling from France to Cambodia, founders Francois & Charlotte were mesmerized by nature showing itself at its best and at the same time being confronted with how mass consumerism and the production of cheap plastic has led to enormous plastic waste pollution we all know today.

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Plastic bottles being recycled to build schools 

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Plastic bottles being recycled to build schools 

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Locals of Payatas recycled plastic bottles and turned these into learning facilities the children can use. This initiative hits two birds with one stone -- addressing the plastic problem and the lack of space conducive for learning.

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Recycled Plastic Bottles: Building New Classrooms for Filipino Schools — Gaia Discovery

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Building a new classroom in a deprived area like Patayas, Philippines is really difficult – unless you use discarded plastic bottles in place of concrete or bricks. By Jeremy Torr. Payatas, Philippines. 29 January 2012.  On the doorstep of the notoriou

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3-D printing as a solution to house crisis and environmental problems 

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3-D printing as a solution to house crisis and environmental problems 

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Mighty Buildings, a construction company based in California, partnered with Fortera to help address both housing and climate crises. Fortera is the producer of innovative cement that has the capacity to reduce carbon emissions by 60% as compared to traditional cements.

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The method of 3D printing construction reduces waste and CO2 emissions.
Mighty Buildings

Several startups are positioning 3D printing as the next, most-attractive sustainable, efficient and affordable option for home construction. The innovation is improving at warp speed, gathering the attention of some of the largest home builders in the country.

Recently, California-based 3D printing construction company Mighty Buildings announced a partnership with Fortera, a materials technology company that produces an innovative cement that reduces CO2 emissions by more than 60% compared to traditional cement. The partnership will help advance Mighty Building's mission of addressing the housing availability crisis while becoming carbon neutral by 2028, hoping to lead the way for the construction industry.

This type of collaboration is critical, says Sam Ruben, chief sustainability officer and co-founder at Mighty Buildings, because it would be impossible to solve the housing or the climate crisis alone.

"We partnered with Fortera to bring sustainability to the market at scale," Ruben said. "Together we are changing how concrete is made and factoring that into creating a low carbon concrete to reduce the impact of construction. We are looking at a holistic systems perspective - how to leverage new and existing companies' technologies to show the industry more broadly that there is a pathway."

Traditional cement used for foundations contributes to a significant portion of the overall carbon footprint for a home; however, Fortera's new cementitious material converts carbon dioxide into cement, reducing CO₂ emissions by more than 60%.

Kas Farsad serves as the vice president of corporate development at Fortera and explains the process that is lowering the environmental impact.

"There isn't a lot you can do to reduce the CO₂ in cement," he said. "Traditional cement production takes limestone, grinds it and burns it. During that process, 44% of the weight of the limestone burns off as a gas. We want to make it as efficient as possible, but fundamentally when you burn limestone, you release CO₂. It is unavoidable. To make our cement, we roll the CO₂ back into the finished product, keeping the CO₂ intact. Whatever you build now has it incorporated, instead of having it released."

Since half the weight of limestone is CO₂, typically half is lost as a gas during the process. Since Fortera is reincorporating the CO₂, it keeps the weight that was mined and doesn't experience the loss that happens when it is burned off, extending the life of existing quarries.

As another part of its commitment to sustainability, Mighty Buildings signed The Climate Pledge, an initiative launched by Amazon and Global Optimism to reach the Paris Agreement 10 years early and be net-zero carbon by 2040.

Ruben says the company also launched an advisory council from cross industries to advance its sustainability mission. Members such as Lindsay Baker, CEO of the International Living Future Institute and Shawn Hunter, global sustainability director at DuPont are part of that charge.

3D printing reduces construction waste by 95%.
Mighty Buildings

Other 3D printing companies are also rethinking sustainability. For instance, Luai Al Kurdi, the founder and CEO of construction technology company Print4d based in the Czech Republic, is thinking about integrating waste material into the production of the 3D printing materials to reduce anything that would have previously been discarded.

Kurdi says sustainability in 3D printing is a three-legged stool: Sustainability can be achieved by the improved quality of the material, by the reduction of the amount of materials, and also by the longevity of the materials, which are usually longer lasting than other materials.
Reducing Supply Chain Challenges
This innovation and the pursuit of sustainable materials in 3D printed housing also creates value by eliminating other materials. Where a typical wall might have wood, drywall, screws, tape, mud, insulation, and barriers and plates, 3D printed walls have one formula. This simplification not only has sustainability benefits, it also reduces the supply chain, freeing up time, resources and expense for more affordable homes.

"3D printing, particularly using our Light Stone Material, largely avoids the use of traditional construction materials and the associated volatility and is able to tap into a global supply chain that leverages production at facilities around the world to minimize impacts to shipping," Ruben said.

Model No. engineer overseeing 3D production of furniture in the company's California based ... [+]
Model No.

Furniture manufacturer Model No 3D prints chairs, sofas and other items to provide a smarter, more custom, highly sustainable solution. The sustainability is measured in a variety of ways from the process. First, the company chooses only sustainable materials. Second, it only creates furniture on demand, so there is very little waste from extra inventory or storage needs. Also, furniture is printed as close to the end consumer as possible to cut down on transportation. Plus, the company aims to take advantage of repurpose and reclamation programs.

Kurdi also is researching how to use recycled materials, such as recycled aggregates that typically aren't incorporated into concrete. The thought here is to integrate waste materials into the mix before they become waste.

Labor shortages play a very large role in the struggle with supply chains at the moment. Mighty Buildings's process also solves that.

"For every five general contractors that are retiring, only one is coming in," Ruben said. "New entries to the workforce are going into the gig economy or becoming programmers. With our process, we create a safer work environment, and steady work because it's indoors, plus set hours so they can plan their lives easily. It all means more certainty in the structure. We are able to reduce labor hours but increase productivity by more than 20 times."

Plus, the process of 3D printing means that production can be more localized. A 3D printing factory can be set up next to the site, using source materials from close to the site, which eliminates logistics and supply chain issues. Mighty Buildings took advantage of new technology to set up shop in a 79,000-square-foot warehouse in an incredible urban location in Oakland, CA. The company attributes the ability to attract the next generation of workers to the great location.
Printing Homes
While it's hard to believe, this innovative 3D printing process for building homes isn't a far-fetched idea. Mighty Buildings is partnering with a number of builders to bring it to life in a variety of contexts.

For example, Palari and Mighty Buildings are partnering on several projects across California to deliver 3D-printed, net zero energy homes. Palari started as a real estate consultant firm years ago and transitioned to be a 3D-printed home builder after seeing the incredible use cases.

For these single family, net zero homes, Mighty Buildings is able to print all the panels in less than a week; the entire exterior wall system is 3D printed. The project site goes from greenfield to installation in less than four weeks, then there is a six to eight week build period because they arrive flat packed onsite. Finally, the on-site installation is just three to four weeks, including standing the panels up and connecting them. Ruben says they have partners that provide prefabricated bathrooms, which are a very attractive part of the home because they have high-quality, beautiful finishes.

"The solutions have to be economically feasible," Ruben said. "There has to be a reduction in costs."

The three-bedroom, two-bath turnkey solution properties that also include an ADU, a garage and high-end technology like the Delos healthy home system, are selling from $500,000.
Printing the Future
"Our vision is to become a production as a service platform," Ruben said. "Right now, we don't have enough people to build all the housing we need. So, we are bringing new technologies to bear on the issues that we have."

Ruben said that Mighty Buildings is finding some market niches to focus on. For instance, because of the smaller size of ADUs, it's prohibitive for many builders to produce them, so the company has recently been able to fine tune an ADU strategy with a product line called Mighty Mods.

Mighty Buildings also wants to step into the role of being a solutions provider. One way they are doing that is by creating a REVIT plug-in for its panel system, so that in a few years, third party designers can plug directly into the Mighty Buildings platform.

Ultimately, Ruben and his team are striving to create a distributed network of 3D printing and robotized Mighty Micro Factories across the country and around the world with each factory able to produce 100 homes per year.

Kurdi is in lock step.

"In the next few years, we'll have fully automated, fully digitized solutions to push the productivity in construction," he says. "The promise is that efficiency and productivity will increase. Robots don't need to rest, so they can produce 24/7. The efficiency will increase because the machines are really accurate, and the quality can be very high, reducing human error and other issues that can happen."

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3D Printing Offers Outstanding Sustainability Benefits, While Also Avoiding Supply Chain Issues

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Several startups are positioning 3D printing as the next, most-attractive sustainable, efficient and affordable option for home construction. The innovation is improving at warp speed, gathering the attention of some of the largest home builders in the country.

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Bricks considered harmful for the environment

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Bricks considered harmful for the environment

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Constructing buildings or establishments is normal in a society, especially in developing communities. Materials such as cements, bricks, and paint are staples in this kind of activity, but it's not known by many that bricks can negatively impact the environment. The process of brick firing consumes much coal, and is a big contributor on air pollution as well.

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The burning of fuel for firing bricks results in emissions of gaseous pollutants and ash into the environment. Brick firing being an energy intensive process, brick industry is one of the largest consumers of coal (around 24 million tons/year) in the country and hence is also an important air polluter.

Why are bricks bad for the environment?

The only significant environmental impact during the raw material and production phase stems from the energy used in firing. The very small proportion sent for disposal causes no environmental problems, as brick has no negative impact on the soil or groundwater.

Is brick environmentally friendly?

When compared to many other facing materials such as so-called concrete bricks, plastics, glass and others, natural clay brick remains one of the most eco-friendly, flexible, cost effective and beautiful materials used in construction.

What are the disadvantages of bricks?

Disadvantages of Brick Masonry Not as strong as other materials such as stone. Not as durable compared to stone. Brick masonry needs plastering done to finish a project which can raise construction costs. Brick absorbs water which will cause dampness and damage overtime.

Are bricks toxic?

Bricks do not contain highly toxic compounds. Tests to evaluate the encapsulation of potentially damaging chemicals in waste materials have shown that no toxic compounds are leached from bricks. A brick is a 100 percent inorganic, inert material.

What is the most sustainable brick?

Hempcrete bricks: An environmentally friendly alternative to concrete, 'hempcrete' is made of hemp, lime and water. The material is eco-friendly and carbon negative due to the amount of carbon dioxide stored during the growing and harvesting of the hemp.

Why are bricks no longer sustainable materials?

Bricks come from a non-renewable source, as clay is dug out of large pits and fired into bricks, while the components for concrete bricks are also mined in various ways. However, they are reusable - should a building be demolished, the bricks can be cleaned and reused as new building material or paving.

Are red bricks eco-friendly?

AAC block is eco-friendly whereas conventional red brick is not. Whereas using red clay brick there's a heavy dead load on the structure. AAC blocks emit less heat in the atmosphere due to less use of cement, steel, and concrete whereas on the other hand red clay bricks emit high heat to the atmosphere.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of bricks?

Advantages of Bricks Economical (Raw material is easily available) Hard and durable. Compressive strength is good enough for ordinary construction. Different orientations and sizes give different surface textures. Very low maintenance cost is required.

What are the advantage of bricks?

For energy efficient warmth in winter and cool in summer, brick combines perfectly with passive building design to harness natural sources of energy. The natural density and thermal insulating qualities of clay moderate building temperature and reduce energy consumption rates, to provide year round comfort and savings.

How can you tell good quality of bricks?

A good quality of bricks should be well burnt and have a colour of rich red or Copper colour, any other colour other than above resembles that brick is under burnt or over-burnt. If bricks are over or under-burnt, then it loses it shape.

What happens if we eat bricks?

Eating bricks never harm you and never affect the uterus system. But, it may lead to infection and diarrhea. If the brick contains metals from the soil for example - aluminium, silica, etc., that lead to metal toxicity.

Do bricks explode?

Bricks can indeed explode in a fire pit. Although not common, it is possible. In some instances, bricks have exploded, cracked, or broke down in a fire pit. If that happened to you, there is a good chance the bricks you used are not made of proper material to withstand the heat.

Are fire bricks food Safe?

Fire bricks are so dense they are nearly completely non-porous, creating a food-safe surface and a natural steaming effect even the best stainless steel ovens can't replicate.

What is the lifespan of a brick house?

The projected lifespan for brick houses is between 35 and 50 years. Even with regular maintenance, the electrical and other components within the building envelope will not last that long.

What are the types of bricks?

Sun-dried bricks: Unburnt bricks or sundried bricks are the first and most basic example of bricks. Burnt clay bricks: Fly ash bricks: Concrete Bricks: Engineering Bricks: Sand lime or calcium silicate Bricks: Porotherm Smart Bricks: Fire Bricks:.

Are burnt clay bricks sustainable?

Furthermore, the incorporation of waste marble powder (WMP) in interlocking burnt clay bricks can lead to economical and sustainable masonry construction. However, the compressive strength of burnt clay bricks with 10% of WMP satisfies the local building code requirement for masonry construction.

Is brick a good building material?

Bricks come from clay and shale, some of the earth's most plentiful materials. They absorb humidity better than any other building material and minimize the chances of mold, mildew, and dust mites.

Can cement be sustainable?

A lot of work has been done to develop more sustainable alternatives to portland cement, which is where the real change is needed. This uses less energy and less limestone, cutting CO2 emissions in both areas, while also making more cement with less raw materials.

Which is better cement bricks vs red bricks?

Lighter weight: As compared to red bricks, concrete blocks are lighter, allowing for greater workability, stability, and durability. Their dry density ratio lowers the dead load on buildings, making them more functional and ideal for modern structures.

Which is better a fly ash brick or a normal red brick?

Fly ash bricks are less costly and lighter in weight. 2. Fly Ash bricks consume only 65 kg cement for the construction of 1 m³ of brickwork which is less compare to red brick. Fly Ash Bricks Red Clay Bricks Fly Ash Bricks has compressive strength - 75 to 100 kg/cm² Red Brick has compressive strength - 30 to 35 kg/cm².

Is AAC block cheaper than bricks?

(b) Structural Cost. Steel saving up to 15% & Concrete saving up to 7%. AAC Blocks reduce the load on foundation due to its light self-weight and saves consumption of steel. Hence reduces the Structural Cost.

Are brick houses hotter?

Insulation acts as the main barrier to heat, but brick helps further stabilize the internal temperatures of your home by obstructing much of the heat from entering into your home. A brick home will always be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than homes made of other, lighter weight materials.

What are the characteristics of bricks?

Qualities of a good brick: Shape. Good bricks will be consistent in size and conform to the standard BS 3921. Well‐burnt. Ring. Water absorption. Compressive strength. Strength and density (water absorption). Materials. Soluble salts.

What are the benefits of clay bricks?

Benefits of clay bricks Acoustic Insulation. Dimensional Accuracy and Symmetry. Durability. Ease of Use. Energy Efficiency. Environmentally Friendly. Fire Resistance. Strength.

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Question: How Do Bricks Affect The Environment - SeniorCare2Share

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The burning of fuel for firing bricks results in emissions of gaseous pollutants and ash into the environment. Brick firing being an energy intensive process, brick industry is one of the largest consumers of coal (around 24 million tons/year) in the country and hence is also an important air polluter.

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3R Practice among Contractors in Malaysia

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3R Practice among Contractors in Malaysia

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39.8% of construction contractors in Malaysia practice the concept of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle in order to manage and reduce construction waste

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There is a pent-up demand and a positive outlook for future growth in the construction industry. PSA reported a growth of 11% in 2014, 10.4% in 2015 and a jump to 14.6% in 2016. The growth prospects exhibited by the construction industry will seem to gain momentum in the future. This poses a potential increase in the construction waste generation in the future.

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Toward a greener construction industry - BusinessWorld Online

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The country’s construction industry is seen sustaining its growth, supported by robust macroeconomic growth and the acceleration of infrastructure as pushed by the government. Oxford Business Group (OBG) said in a 2017 report, “Nowhere are the effects of the Philippines’ sustained economic growth mo…

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There are plans to focus on green construction. This entails focusing on building resilient infrastructure, adapting techniques and materials through “green” construction, and tapping into the sustainable cooling and renewables sector.

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Quezon is home to over 2.9 million people-the most populated and highly urbanized city in the Philippines. But Quezon's residents aren't the only Filipinos wrestling with the challenges of urban living: nearly half of the country's 107 million people reside in densely populated areas. As in other cities around the world, the concentration of people, industries, and infrastructure makes these areas especially vulnerable to climate change, with disastrous outcomes for citizens.

To address the link between urbanization and the impacts of climate change, the government of the Philippines has committed to a 70-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, as part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement. To achieve this, the nation has to focus on building resilient infrastructure, adapting techniques and materials through "green" construction, and tapping into the sustainable cooling and renewables sector.

Green construction focuses on climate resilience, sustainability, and energy efficiency-reducing emissions from the lifecycle of constructed assets and from the industry's value chain at large.

In the case of the Philippines, geographical location and lack of natural barriers expose large infrastructure and buildings to repeated battering from extreme weather events like typhoons and flooding. Between 1996 and 2015, more than 280 typhoons hit the country, and these will only get more severe and frequent with continued climate change.
A $25 Trillion Business Opportunity
It is important for governments to focus on green construction now because 70 percent of people around the world will reside and work in cities by 2050. However, 60 percent of the area expected to be urban by that time remains to be built. That means that large-scale construction needs to take place in the next three decades. Much of it will be in emerging markets.

According to IFC's analysis, there is a business opportunity of almost $25 trillion associated with green buildings in emerging-market cities between now and 2030. Going green during the construction process can help rapidly urbanizing cities like Quezon become more resilient to climate-related disasters-while saving money and contributing to lower emissions

Greening Construction: the Role of Carbon Pricing, a new report from IFC, examines how to design effective carbon-pricing mechanisms that can help the construction industry become more sustainable. This is necessary because the sector is highly energy- and carbon-intensive, currently producing between 25 and 40 percent of global carbon emissions. Given the expected increase in demand for construction due to rapid urbanization, it is essential to reduce the industry's carbon intensity if the world is to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and restrict the rise in temperatures to less than 1.5˚ Celsius.

In the Philippines, carbon pricing could help construction companies choose lower-emission alternatives, manage carbon risks, and reduce emissions. The potential impact of "greening" construction in this way is staggering: across the country, the industry is expected to grow more than 50 percent between 2018 and 2023.

For the construction industry to think green, however, a commitment to reducing emissions must be made across the value chain-from raw material suppliers to building developers to those who live and work in those buildings. IFC will bring together all of these stakeholders to share best practices and lessons learned in efforts to move closer to "green" goals at Innovate4Climate (I4C), a conference hosted by the World Bank Group, from June 4-7. The meeting, focused on transformative action on climate change, convenes leaders from business, banking, finance, policy, and technology to think about how to leverage and direct investment toward low-carbon economies.
Keeping the Planet-and People-Cool
The expected increase in construction to meet urbanization demands also has consequences associated with the rising temperatures linked to climate change. In all of these new buildings, more cooling will be required to keep people comfortable, food safe, and medicines secure. However, conventional cooling technologies-such as refrigeration, air conditioning, and fans-account for as much as 10 percent of all global emissions, more than twice the carbon emissions generated from aviation and maritime activity combined. In other words, the necessity to keep things cool could make the planet hotter.

This underscores the important role that sustainable cooling plays in the design of buildings, appliances, and other equipment. Innovation in this sphere is crucial to ensure that the world's increasing energy demands are met without further endangering people through the threat of rising emissions.

The private sector's role in helping the construction industry become more sustainable is clear-as is the business opportunities associated with green construction.
Join in the online conversations: #Innovate4Climate

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Greening Construction in the Age of Climate Change

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Quezon is home to over 2.9 million people-the most populated and highly urbanized city in the Philippines. But Quezon's residents aren't the only Filipinos wrestling with the challenges of urban living: nearly half of the country's 107 million people reside in densely populated areas.

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Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

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Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

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The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 is a policy that directly discusses proper management of toxic and hazardous waste on a national level.

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The surge of construction projects in the Philippines has influenced construction industry attitudes towards construction waste management and environmental protection. As construction waste management is becoming an important factor in modern construction management, the Philippine construction industry has begun to do its part in promoting and implementing means of managing wastes produced from construction activities. This paper discusses the result of conducted survey among Philippine construction industry stakeholders, aiming to determine their perception on the benefits of waste management planning, the willingness of stakeholders to minimize wastes, and the importance of environment as a construction factor. By identifying their perception, areas that require special attention can be identified leading to the development of better waste management plan. Results indicated that the majority of the stakeholders recognize that construction waste management has its benefits, which includes cost savings, increase in profit, reduced dumpsite disposal, improved company reputation and acquisition of new projects.

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(PDF) Industry Perception on the Benefits of Construction Waste Management Strategies in the Philippines

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The surge of construction projects in the Philippines has influenced construction industry attitudes towards construction waste management and environmental protection. As construction waste management is becoming an important factor in modern construction management, the Philippine construction industry has begun to do its part in promoting and implementing means of managing wastes produced from construction activities.

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Because of external factors such as industrialization and increasing population, waste generation has been steadily increasing.

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When coming up with a solution, it is important to consider their sustainability in the long run.. There are already innovative ideas proposed to solve waste problems locally and globally. However, some solutions still seem only effective in the short run, and may even cause negative environmental impacts in the long run.

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It is not enough to impose laws, proper implementation is needed to truly improve the waste problem. If the government are not imposing the proper measures and the residents are not influenced to improve solid waste management, there will be no improvement.

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Long-term sustainability is also key here, not just something sustainable in the short-run

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Exposure to sunlight makes plastics brittle and susceptible to breaking. The micro-plastics would be released in the area which can be detrimental to animal and human health

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A number of challenging process applications in the petrochemical, iron and steel, and biotechnology industries can be solved by this online process mass spectrometer and process gas analyzer.

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What are Ecobricks and are they a Solution to Plastic Pollution?

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An ecobrick is very simple: gather all of the materials you cannot recycle at home or locally, and pack them as tightly as you can into a plastic bottle.

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Engineers who may have knowledge about eco bricks or brick making so that we may now what materials can and cannot be used to make eco bricks, as well as which materials would best serve the purpose of this project

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There are more companies that practice 3R than those who do. This is because it is not a mandatory requirement for construction companies

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The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 does not address the proper handling of industry specific wastes

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Demands for furniture and walls using eco bricks

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Demands for furniture and walls using eco bricks

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Since our project would be concentrating on creating more infrastructure, we will not be able to serve those who wish to use eco bricks for other usages such as furniture.

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There are 25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean and every day, each person in Singapore throws away 13 plastic bags. Yes, that amount is no longer a shocker to us anymore.

We are all well aware of the dire state of plastic pollution happening in our oceans and how plastic is now the number one enemy of everyone.

So, what if we told you, there is a way to reduce the amount of plastic being thrown into the ocean? Plus, you can actually do it from the comfort of your home and it requires only 2 minutes of your time?

What exactly is this magical method that holds the potential of solving the top global problem now?

Well, the answer is - an Ecobrick! Here is the basic information you need to know about these magical building blocks:

What is an Ecobrick?

An Ecobrick is essentially a reusable building block created by solid non-biodegradable waste placed into a plastic bottle to a set density.

By packing the bottles with a set density, it makes them suitable building blocks for virtually any construction. They can also be packed with other non-biological un-recyclables that, uncontained, are toxic to the environment (i.e. styrofoam, wires, small batteries, etc.).

Ecobricks are a sustainable way to reuse non-biodegradable plastic waste as plastic waste is regarded as a long-lasting and durable material. Hence, keeping plastic out of the ecosystem and prevents the contamination of the environment.

Ecobricks are used to make many things such as furniture, walls and buildings. It allows communities and companies to get control of their plastic waste to create modular furniture, garden spaces, walls and even full-scale buildings.

How does it help the environment?

EcoBricks prevent plastic waste from disrupting the ecosystem:

Usually, when thrown away, plastic breaks down into tiny pieces and contaminates the area where it is.

EcoBricks seal the plastic away preventing the buildup of toxic gases emitted during the degradation of the plastic, such as methane.

PET bottles are perfect for sealing away the plastic because they have an incredible longevity and protect the contents from UV rays.

Ecobricking raises ecological consciousness:

We often do not think about the afterlife of our discarded plastic bottles. Ecobricking addresses our short-sightedness, as making Ecobricks demands time and dedication, it leads to questions on the uses of plastic.

Ecobricks are a low energy solution to plastic:

Recycling isn't necessarily the best solution since the facilities demand technology, funds and a substantial amount of human energy.

It also involves transportation and the waste can travel around the world before reaching its destination only to end up in a saturated recycling plant.

EcoBricks don't require all that fuss, with anyone having the ability to make their own Ecobricks. It is a simple solution to a complex problem which can be applied anywhere by everyone.

How do I make an Ecobrick?

Follow the following steps and you can be an owner of an Ecobrick!

1. Get your plastics ready

Only use clean, dry plastic or else microbiologicals beings can grow and form methane in the bottle. If there is any food, oil or dirt on your plastic, be sure to wash then dry.

Clean and dry plastic includes styrofoam, bags, packaging, straws, cellophane and is basically anything else that is not recyclable.

Do note that you are not supposed to put any glass, metal or biodegradables into the bottle.

2. Choose a bottle

Find 1.5 litres or 500ml bottle and you are ready to start!

3. Find your perfect stick

Find the correct stick which will allow you to pack the plastic well, it should be twice the height of your bottle, with a slightly rounded tip and with a diameter roughly one third the width of a standard bottle opening- about 6mm

4. Get creative with your ecobrick

The first piece of plastic should be soft plastic with a solid colour, so be creative as it will make your trash look colourful!

5. Pack your bottle!

Pack your bottle with plastic, alternating between soft and hard plastic to maximise the density. The smaller the pieces, the denser you'll get, so cut up big plastics into smaller pieces!

6. Weigh your Ecobrick
Minimum Ecobrick weight = Bottle volume x 0.33
Minimum density goals are essential to ensure the quality of ecobricks as it helps to ensure good constructions, make the most of the volume and energize the social spread of ecobricks.

Do be careful as Ecobricks should not be too soft as they will not be reliable enough for construction.

Build Your Own Ecobricks!

Now that you have an idea on how to build an ecobrick, why not get your hands dirty and join us in for our Ecobricks Workshop! You will get a chance to build them yourselves.

We will be conducting an Ecobricks Workshop on 25 th May 2019 and we want you to join us! It will be a great opportunity for you to gain insights on the plastic waste situation in Singapore to understand why eco bricks are so necessary.

Following the informative session, we will dive straight into creating our own ecobricks. Some tips and tricks will also be shared, so do listen out for them so that you can use it when building your own bricks in the future.

The next part of the workshop is an exciting one, where we will learn how to create functional items, like tables and stools, with the ecobricks we made. There is no limit to what you can create! It all depends on your creativity and imagination.

After all that fun and hands-on experience, we hope that the workshop would allow you to:

1. Develop an understanding of the concept of ecobricks and how it may be used;

2. Explore solutions to tackle both recyclable and non-recyclable materials in your household lifestyles; and

3. Build up your knowledge and skills that help to develop long term green habits and reducing personal waste consumption.

Workshop Details: Date: 25 May 2019, Saturday Time: 2.30pm - 5.30pm Venue: Serene Centre, 10 Jalan Serene, #02-5a, Singapore 258748 Price: $15/pax
If you are already as excited as we are, sign up here and we will see you there!

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Ecobricks: Plastic Solved - The Sustainability Project

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There are 25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean and every day, each person in Singapore throws away 13 plastic bags. Yes, that amount is no longer a shocker to us anymore. We are all well aware of the dire state of plastic pollution happening in our oceans and how plastic is now the number one enemy of everyone.

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Green Antz Builders Inc. is a innovative provider of building and housing solutions. Their buildings are known to be created from eco bricks that are made from plastic wastes. Big companies such as Globe have recently partnered with them to construct new buildings from eco bricks

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Transforming the manner by which we perceive and handle waste, Green Antz aims to minimize the amount of waste generated, increase the amount of materials we reuse, reduce and recycle, and build engaged communities for us and future generations.

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GreenAntz – RECYCLING PLASTIC FOR A HAPPIER TOMORROW

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All Data are calculated as of September 2021 (cumulative)

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The Plastic Flamingo is a social enterprise that collects plastic wastes, which is then converted to a wide array of materials. These materials can help construct new schools, housing, and shelters to make buildings more resilient to natural disasters.

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During their one-year honeymoon, cycling from France to Cambodia, founders Francois & Charlotte were mesmerized by nature showing itself at its best and at the same time being confronted with how mass consumerism and the production of cheap plastic has led to enormous plastic waste pollution we all know today.

This led to the creation of The Plaf, also known as The Plastic Flamingo, a social enterprise based in the Philippines that collects and transforms plastic waste into a range of sustainable construction materials which can be used to build new schools, housing, and shelters to help make this country more resilient against its many natural hazards the country faces yearly.

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During their one-year honeymoon, cycling from France to Cambodia, founders Francois & Charlotte were mesmerized by nature showing itself at its best and at the same time being confronted with how mass consumerism and the production of cheap plastic has led to enormous plastic waste pollution we all know today.

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Being mindful and thorough can also help us get a better grasp of the problem and polish our proposed solution/s. This kind of initiative is not easy to plan out, but taking the time to acquire knowledge and insights from experts can get us somewhere.

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Solid wastes include any garbage that resulted from mining, commercial, industrial, commercial, agricultural and from normal community activities.

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Criteria for the Definition of Solid Waste and Solid and Hazardous Waste Exclusions | US EPA

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Information about wastes specifically excluded from RCRA