In modern times, concrete plays an important role in the construction sector. Discussions are serious because of the material’s environmental impact and it lead to a desire between development and retention.
Thus, in this blog, we discuss the environmental impact of concrete, the ecological impact being caused, and the innovative solutions being found out.
The Scale of Concrete Consumption: A National Perspective
In India, construction activity is going on at a rapid pace. There are multiple real estate and infrastructure projects being constructed across the country due to the fast development and growing population. The tall structures being constructed in metros to highway construction to connect the cities construction activity is going on in full swing.
The extensive use of concrete leads to rapid development but leads to environmental concerns as well. As rapid urbanization grows and the need for infrastructure grows there are dual challenges, one is related to the development of the country, and another is related to environmental concerns.
There should be an equal balance between development and environmentally sustainable goals. Excess urban development is hazardous to the environment, while excessive environmental care leads to affecting the progress of the country.
The Carbon Footprint of Concrete
For creating concrete, it causes 8 percent of the world’s carbon waste from using cement. The conversion of limestone into cement requires a high-heating process that consumes huge amounts of energy and leads to emissions of carbon dioxide.
Studies show that the 1 ton of cement being manufactured in a factory can lead to the same amount of carbon dioxide release which is very dangerous to the environment. Carbon emissions boost greenhouse gas emissions which make concrete environmental concerns.
Water Consumption: Concrete’s Thirsty Side
Concrete demand significant amounts of water require which is a scarce resource:
- The curing of concrete requires 40% of water consumption.
- Mixing and production requires 35% of water consumption.
- Dust control requires 15% of water consumption.
- Equipment cleaning requires 10% of water consumption.
Resource Scarcity: Eroding Foundations
Concrete production leads to an impact on natural resources. Sand extraction from the rivers leads to the destruction and affects biodiversity of nature. The industry’s water use is 9% of total industrial consumption.
The use of raw materials for concrete leads to exhausting resources and affects the natural habitat. For enhancing the quality of concrete nowadays in modern forms, concrete micro silica and fly ash are used. The use of green concrete substantially helps in reducing carbon emissions and is an eco-friendly product for the environment.
Overlooked Environmental Impact:
Besides carbon dioxide emissions, there are much more effect of concrete to the environment:
- Heat island effect: In places where there is dense congestion of concrete buildings the temperature recorded at such places is higher and leads to many health issues as well.
- Respiratory concerns: The dust particles being emitted from the material lead to health problems related to breathing and respiratory diseases.
- Habitat disruption: The local ecosystem is affected due to excessive concrete structures.
The Intersection of Concrete and Corruption: Environmental Implications
While environmental damage the concrete is a major concern, it is essential to know that corruption is also one of the major factors that is worsening these effects.
In the construction industry wherever there is a heavy requirement of concrete, they often face ethical and transparency issues.
The huge sum of money involved, the complexity of projects, and the involvement of multiple stakeholders lead to very often corrupt practices.
All these practices give rise to worries about the ethics of the business as well as the environment’s direct and indirect involvement.
- Environmental Bypass: Corrupt practices can lead to environmental issues such as environmentally harmful material may be allowed to be used in construction which may degrade the environment.
- Unsustainable Practices: Corrupt practices can lead to illegal sand mining which affects the rivers as soil erosion is caused.
- Wastage and Inefficiency: The projects that are given due to corrupt practices may cause material wastage, increasing the environmental carbon footprint.
- Stifling Innovation: Corruption may affect the use of eco-friendly material and the same traditional practices which may affect the environment may carry on.
Water and Recycling: A Concrete Problem
The construction industry is a major contributor to hazardous waste and pollution with concrete being considered a major contributor to pollution. When the structures grow old and are demolished in that case the major waste material is concrete. The trash is being thrown on the landfill site which could lead to environmental and financial challenges.
Making the decision to recycle concrete is environmentally sound, but a sound economic choice as well. The construction industry struggles with many challenges related to environmental issues recycling concrete can be a good decision.
Innovation and Solutions: Building a Sustainable Future
Ensuring that the demand for construction is met and on the other side even protecting the environment is a major challenge for the construction industry.
Corporate Responsibility: Setting Stronger Foundations
There are many companies that are working towards a sustainable future. With the aim of reducing carbon emissions, companies are setting ambitious goals for reducing emissions.
Alternative Binders:
There is a search going on for alternatives to Portland cement, which contributes to a significant impact on carbon emissions. Cement is replaced with fly ash, Silica Fume, slag, and natural pozzolans.
Carbon Capture and Storage:
Few of the companies are using carbon capture storage technologies in the production process. CO2 emission is being absorbed which helps in avoiding from prevention into the atmosphere. The capture of carbon dioxide can be used for many other purposes.
Self-Healing Concrete:
Bacteria which can produce limestone are inserted into the concrete as a solution. When the cracks appear on the surfaces the bacteria are activated, with the produced limestone the cracks can be filled which reduces the need for repair and increases the life span of the concrete.
Lightweight Concrete:
With the use of lightweight aggregates like expanded glass beads or perlite the weight of the concrete can be reduced substantially. The lightweight concrete also reduces the energy required for transportation as less fuel is consumed due to its low weight making it easy to construct. By using Foaming Agent to produce lightweight concrete.
3D Printing with Concrete:
This technology helps in the precise use of concrete and reduces the wastage of material during construction. It helps to create innovative structures that otherwise would be challenging with traditional construction techniques.
Root Veggies:
Research studies have shown that the use of vegetables such as beets or carrots has found applications in concrete. Cement consumption could be reduced by the use of these nano-platelets from vegetables which serve to increase the strength of concrete.
Curing Compound:
The use of curing compound to reduce the use of water for hardening the concrete. Which is beneficial to save the water consumption and water waste. It is indirectly help to save the environment.
Green Concrete:
Green concrete is amongst the best products used for concrete formulation and production which brings environmental sustainability. It reduces carbon emissions, and the use of recycled material is frequently being done.
Silica Fume:
In the construction industry, using micro silica (also called silica fume) as a by-product of fly ash serves an amazing purpose, that is it significantly increase strength of concrete and fill its pores for surface smoothing and reduce carbon emissions from environment.
Policy and Advocacy: Regulations and Renovations
There are very strict rules and regulations being made in India these days related to carbon emissions and waste management. The construction industry in developing nations like India faces extreme climatic conditions leading to global warming.
There are many innovations being made to make use of eco-friendly materials in construction to protect the environment.
The Central Pollution Control Board and the union ministry have made strict pollution norms against emissions and waste management to protect the environment from global warming and climate change.
Consumer Awareness and Choices: The Power to Influence
Along with the industries, even the policymakers play a key role in the protection of the environment. Consumers should also play an important role in environmental protection with the use of eco-friendly materials.
- Eco-friendly Construction:
These days more and more people prefer to buy houses made from eco-friendly material meant for the construction of green buildings which is helping industry to make use of eco-friendly practices.
- Support for Recycling:
Consumer encouragement is essential to promote eco-friendly material as the positive response from the customers is necessary to promote the use of recycled concrete.
- Advocacy and Awareness:
Consumers can ask for stricter regulations and raise awareness related to use of concrete, influencing the best industry policies and decisions.
Conclusion:
In this way to promote environmental protection against carbon discharges as well as diminishing worldwide temperature rise it is very necessary to use eco-friendly products such as green concrete and reclaimed concrete. The use of eco-friendly materials can help protect the environment and make it sustainable even for future generations.
Making use of recycled concrete can help preserve resources leading to the protection of the earth from the hazards caused due to the excavation of resources. Thus, we can conclude that the use of environmentally friendly materials in construction can help save our planet.