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How to start on Becoming eco-friendly |
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January 2010 Volume 1 Issue 2 |
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very one of us wants to start with our own ways to become more responsible to our environment but let’s face it: do we hardly know which and where to begin or are we not just aware that we could, even in our backyard? Advances in cement technology has allowed concrete to be more resource efficient, sustainable and cost-effective landscaping material hence makes it as one way of being economically friendly. Here are some few easy-to-follow strategies for incorporating concrete into your landscape in an eco-friendly manner – saving your money and making outdoor creations more fascinating. |
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1. Start with a concrete yard Concrete is made locally and only in the specific quantities needed for each project, making it one of the most resource-efficient materials you can use to build your backyard patios, sidewalks and pool decks. Also, installing a concrete patio rather than a wood deck saves trees and eliminates the need for regular maintenance with toxic solvent-based wood stains and sealers. |
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2. Recycling (Making Use of Used Materials) Find new uses for materials that would otherwise be hauled away to a landfill. You can mix all sorts of inexpensive recycled materials into concrete to create unusual artistic effects, including broken or crushed glass, recycled aggregates, crushed seashells, and bits of scrap metal. For example, incorporating used bottles into an outdoor concrete countertops or using broken glass as alternative to glass aggregates while creating a colourful mosaic designs in concrete patios and pool decks. |
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3. Planting a “Living Roof” Strategic placement of plants and trees in your backyard can save energy costs while at the same time adding beauty and structure. For example, placing trees on the west or south side of your home will help shade the house from the heat of the sun. Also consider covering your roof with a garden filled with different shrubs, vines, and plants. This "living roof" not only provides shade, the plants can actually help cool the surroundings through transpiration. |
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4. Reusing Old Concrete If you have an old concrete patio, driveway, or walkway removed, save some money by reusing the concrete rather than paying disposal costs. Many companies process reclaimed concrete into a substitute for crushed stone, which has a number of valuable uses in the landscape. The crushed bits of concrete can be used as granular fill, as a base course for a new patio, or as aggregate in new concrete. |
