Goldholme Stone’s Lincolnshire limestone is ranked at No. 1 for six of the eight environmental impacts assessed, and No. 2 for the remaining two. And with an overall score of just 42, it achieves the lowest environmental impact score of the six, commonly specified building materials in the study. The next best material, clay brick, scores 91 while third ranked reconstituted stone scores 141.
The study, ‘A Comparison of the Environmental Impact of Various Building Materials’, (researched and compiled by environmental assessment consultant Hughes Craven [formerly Halletec Associates]), compares five construction materials to Goldholme Stone’s Lincolnshire limestone. Clay Brick, Reconstituted Stone, Timber Cladding, Glass/Steel and Plastic Cladding were assessed and ranked alongside the limestone for the following environmental impacts:-
Energy in manufacture Pollutants emitted Waste in production Impact of processing plant Life of product Maintenance in service Carbon dioxide footprint Recycling potential
The results give assurance to a growing number of environmentally conscious architects like Hamiltons and supports their decision to use English limestone for both aesthetic and sustainability reasons. Hamiltons director Craig Casci said they chose it “Because it is a UK stone and it was greatly liked by Westminster Planning Department and a more interesting alternative to Portland, with warmer tones, especially when wet. We also specify loadbearing stone and the strength and hardness met the specification.”
The stone was fixed by London stone contractor Stonewest and Mr. Casci noted that the finished building “has generated a great amount of interest from both press and public.”
Phil Kerry, Managing Director of Goldholme Stone commented, “We’re pleased the environmental impact of building materials has become an important issue for the construction industry. Locally-sourced materials are often the best option when sustainability is an important design factor.”
The full study can be downloaded from Goldholme Stone’s website at http://www.goldholme.com/impact.htm
By: Alan Gayle
Posts Tagged ‘Construction Industry’
Environmentally sensitive English limestone used for luxury apartments in Montrose Place, London
December 20th, 2009How to Make a Construction Environmental Management Plan
August 15th, 2009If you have been involved in the construction industry for a relatively long time, then you would have come across a Construction Environmental Management Plan. If you haven’t, then you will be very soon. The reality is that nowadays society has become more conscious of the impact that human activities have on the surrounding environment. Governments have responded accordingly by passing legislation that obliges construction contractors to detail the expected impacts of a project on the environment and how they hope to successfully manage them.
Unfortunately, despite the increased use and importance of such plans, there are still many out there that have no idea how to prepare a Construction Environmental Management Plan. This short article hopes to outline some of the important components of a plan so that you can get a good head start the next time you need to write one for a project.
Here are just some of the components that need to be included in an environmental plan:
A description of the project The objectives of the environmental plan Environmental responsibilities Legislative requirements Approvals, licenses and permits Procedures for managing communication and complaints Procedures for emergency responses Environmental training to be undertaken Environmental protection measures to be taken
In Australia, from where I’m from, the main environmental legislation is what is known as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The legislation in your country will be different and it would be a wise decision to study it to make sure that environmental plan complies with it.
There is certainly no room for complacency when it comes to a Construction Environmental Management Plan.
By: Martin Gerardo
