Choosing wisely and being aware of distance, resources, and composition can reduce the environmental impact of construction projects with recycled building materials. Consumers should beware of greenwashing and distinguish between recycled and reclaimed materials. Percentage of recycled material and transportation should also be considered.
Recycled building materials can reduce the environmental impact of construction projects when they are chosen wisely, with an awareness of the distance travelled, the use of resources involved in their production and their composition. Many large communities have a facility or facilities that handle reclaimed and recycled materials, and it may even be possible to go directly to a contractor for some products. Consumers who want to use recycled building materials should be aware of the risk of greenwashing, where companies make environmental claims that aren’t actually supported by the products they produce.
It is important to distinguish between recycled and reclaimed or reclaimed materials. Recycled building materials are made with a certain percentage of post-consumer content and can include things like glass, engineered wood products, ceramics, and so on. Reclaimed and salvaged materials are used materials that are removed during demolition and other activities, cleaned up, and sold for reuse. You can use a mix of recycled and reclaimed materials, as needed.
One thing to consider when evaluating recycled building materials is the percentage of recycled material. If, for example, a homeowner wants to use wallpaper made from recycled fibres, there is a significant difference between a product with 5% post-consumer content and one made with 45%. The more recycled material, the fewer new resources were involved in producing the material. For materials such as engineered wood, it may be possible to achieve a very high percentage of recycled content.
Another problem is the work that goes into recycling. If materials have to be transported great distances and undergo heavy processing before they can be used to make recycled building materials, they may not be environmentally friendly. Companies may also engage in activities such as cosmetic bleaching, in which case the final product may be less environmentally friendly than it would have been. Consumers may want to research the recycling process to learn more and determine whether a recycled, remanufactured, or brand new product would be more appropriate.
Transportation can also be a factor with recycled building materials. The distance traveled can have an impact on the carbon footprint of the product and it may be possible to purchase a more environmentally friendly alternative. Some companies offset their transit with carbon credits and may also strive for carbon neutrality in other aspects of their operations. Any environmental claims made should be evaluated by checking with the source, such as a certification agency, to find out what kinds of standards are set and how the standards are enforced.
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