SUSTAINABLE BENEFITS OF PRECAST & LEED CONTRIBUTIONS

Precast Helps Projects Attain LEED Certification

Precast’s proximity, energy efficiency, recyclability and minimal waste are keys to meeting environmental standards. More and more owners are deciding to provide higher levels of sustainable construction in their buildings. Much of this attention is spurred by the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) standards created by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC), as well as by the growing attention to climate change and the desire to lower the consumption of energy and materials. To reach these goals, designers are often turning to precast concrete components that provide a number of “green” advantages. Precast concrete components can help owners to reach as many as 21 of the 26 points needed to achieve LEED certification.

Recycling

Precast plants reuse formwork, in itself a conservationist move, and in doing so reduce construction waste that would otherwise be generated at a job site. In addition, cementitious materials used in concrete often contain manufacturing byproducts such as fly ash and blast furnace slag that would otherwise find their way to a landfill. Waste water can be recycled for use in manufacturing. Steel used for concrete reinforcement is typically composed of 95 percent post-consumer recycled content.

Reduced Site Impact

Since precast concrete products are manufactured off site and delivered on demand, there is a significant reduction in truck traffic, dust, noise and debris from formwork associated with pour in place products. Because precast concrete products are modular and standardized, they are installed in a quicker fashion and result in reduced construction times and energy usage, noise and emissions from on-site equipment and in reduced site impact.

Natural Materials

The cement used in concrete is made of natural materials such as limestone and clay. Most cement plants rely on nearby limestone quarries. Aggregates used in the manufacturing of precast concrete products are generally extracted and manufactured regionally.

Durability

Concrete is a very strong and durable material, which is a significant sustainable attribute. It will not rust, rot or burn and has a service life of in excess of 100 years.

* REFERENCES

Lafarge – http://www.lafargeprecast.ca/sustainability/leed_certification/customprecast/index.html

NPCA – http://www.precast.org/publications/solutions/2006_summer/tech.htm

Precast Concrete Institute – http://www.pci.org/cms/index.cfm/sustainability/faq5

http://www.sustainableprecast.ca/leed_creditguidelines/precast_sustainability/canada/index.do

For additional information please click on the links.