Natural, sustainable building materials are…let’s be honest…few and far between. Yes, we have timber – a popular, easy to use, go-to commodity – that has been used for constructional purposes since time began. But is this sustainable?
How much longer can this continue?
We can also add straw to the ‘sustainable building material’ list. Straw-bale construction has been in existence for approx 150 years and is now seeing an upsurge with traditional straw-bale building techniques and these innovative modular panels.
EcoCocon straw panels
So, what else is there available? What other natural, sustainable building materials can honestly step-up and deliver marginal embodied carbon, effectivity and recyclability?
Are earth blocks the way forward?
Embodied carbon and sustainability
The global cry to use more natural, sustainable materials within construction is getting louder. Typically, this will generate a ‘bandwagon’ of genuine and researched mediums, however, there are also those determined to greenwash their way aboard with a product/s that may very well include natural, sustainable ingredients but actual cradle-to-gate statistics display otherwise. The journey of creation of the end-product is as important as the ‘hailed product’ itself.
What is Earth Blocks Ltd declaration of sustainability?
Well….we’re not zero carbon! But then who can truthfully claim that they are!? However, we do have an outstanding profile.
- We need only 3 natural ingredients (soil, straw and water)
- Clayey soil that is destined for landfill
- Rainwater is harvested at our facility
- Straw and soils are locally sourced
- Recycled waste and NO by-products
- Non-toxic
- Fire resistant
- Thermally efficient
- Structurally competent
- Exemplary cradle-to-gate data
Life Cycle
Our products manufactured here at Earth Blocks Ltd demonstrate in-situ value too. Excessive moisture in the air indoors for example, is absorbed and released making for comfortable levels of humidity. So, their presence is already creating a healthier space. Acoustically, our earth blocks and earth bricks provide a ‘softer’ environment within the home and dramatically reduce outside noise. End-of-life capacity is favourable too. They can be reconstituted and remade into their original form or [if they have been bonded together with non-hydraulic lime mortar] they can be re-used…….making our earth blocks and earth bricks a cradle-to-cradle product.
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