Choose materials with less energy-intensive manufacturing

Options

…such as alternative material(s) to concrete for hardscape.
…such as lower-carbon concrete.
…such as steel with a high percentage of recycled content.
…such as steel from electric arc furnaces and manufacturers powered by renewable energy.
…such as recycled materials.
…such as engineered wood fiber instead of wood chips or rubber surfacing for play areas.
…such as lightweight fill for green roofs instead of foam or cellular concrete.
…such as rammed earth walls or wood fences instead of metal fences of concrete walls.

Case Study

In San Bernadino, a city in southern California, the Unified School District decided to use 13 outdoor furnishing product types from the manufacturer Vestre in 69 schools. The SSAB-produced steel in these products has 30% lower emissions than average, produced by SSAB with fossil-free hydrogen, and soon by electric arc furnaces. The two Vestre factories are powered by 100% renewable electricity in part by onsite solar.

Tactic

Choose materials with less energy-intensive manufacturing

Options

…such as alternative material(s) to concrete for hardscape.

…such as lower-carbon concrete.

…such as steel with a high percentage of recycled content.

…such as steel from electric arc furnaces and manufacturers powered by renewable energy.

…such as recycled materials.

…such as engineered wood fiber instead of wood chips or rubber surfacing for play areas.

…such as lightweight fill for green roofs instead of foam or cellular concrete.

…such as rammed earth walls or wood fences instead of metal fences of concrete walls.

Case Study

Explore more tactics and resources in the Minimize Embodied Carbon strategy.