This document discusses sustainable construction. It defines sustainability and explains that sustainable construction should enhance environments without permanently damaging the natural world or wasting resources. Sustainable practices include installing solar panels, using recycled materials, and proper waste sorting on construction sites. Examples of sustainable materials are double glazing, low-flush toilets, and wall insulation. There are economic benefits like lower landfill fees and material costs for builders who practice sustainability.

1. Wall and Floor Tiling
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2. Overview – Today’s lesson
• What is sustainability?
• Why?
• Sustainable Construction: What it should do!
• Sustainable Construction: What it should not do?
• Examples of Sustainable Construction
• Sustainable Construction processes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOZ3BTvufI0
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3. Sustainability: A Definition
"meet present needs without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their needs“
(UN 1987)
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Why?
The term is increasingly recognised in the context of
the environment and how we can sustain ourselves on
the planet.

4. Sustainability: Scottish Government
The goal of sustainable development is to enable
all people throughout the world to satisfy their
basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life
without compromising the quality of life of future
generations
Scottish Government 2012
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5. Sustainable Construction
Sustainable construction should :
• Enhance living, working and leisure environments for individuals
and communities.
• Consume minimum energy over its life cycle
• Generate minimum waste over its life cycle
• Integrate with the natural environment
• Use renewable resources where possible
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6. Sustainable Construction
Sustainable construction should NOT:
• Cause permanent damage to the natural environment or
consume a large amount of resources during construction, use or
demolition.
• Cause unnecessary waste of energy, water or materials due to
short life, poor design, inefficiency or low standard construction
techniques.
•Create dependence on high impact transport systems
with their associated pollution.
• Use materials from threatened species/environments.
WFT 2017/KM/October 2017

7. Sustainable Construction
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Class Activity
In small groups can you list 5 examples of what you think could
be considered sustainable construction. Think not only of the
materials but also activities during the construction process
itself!!

8. Sustainable Construction
• Installing Solar panels – reducing amount of electricity
generated and taken from National grid.
• Use Recycled Materials – reducing the consumption of new
materials and energy/ transport costs used to produce them.
• Installation of double glazing – reduce energy usage
• Install Low flush toilets (3.5 to 6 Litres/flush)
• Installation of insulation in cavity walling, roof spaces etc.
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9. Sustainable Construction
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During the construction process itself construction contractors
undertake sustainable practices to try to reduce the impact on the
environment.
An example of this includes using the correct waste skips on site.
Timber Waste – Timber skip for recycling
Cardboard Waste – Separated for recycling
Tile off cuts – Inert waste skip for landfill

10. Economic Benefits
There are economic benefits to builders
• Lower landfill fees due to reuse and recycling of construction
materials
• Lower material costs with careful purchase of resources and
materials
• Potential earnings from sales of reusable items removed during
the demolition of old buildings
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11. WFT /KM/October
City of Glasgow College
2018
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