Facilitators-Handbook-For-Permaculture

Workshop Module 3: Houses, Water, and Waste Management 89

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Presentation : Sustainable and unsustainable building materials

Method : Facilitator presentation

Tools : Images of houses from sustainable materials, black/white board, markers

References : PC Book MOD 3 – Houses, Water, and Waste Management

Objective : Participants understand sustainable and unsustainable building materials

It is important to choose good building materials that suit your local

environment. The use of different types of building materials can have a big effect on

the quality and comfort of a house, in both positive and negative ways.

When thinking about sustainability of building materials, consider:

• Where does the material comes from – Is the source sustainable?


• What is it made from – Is it natural or not?


• Will the material pollute the environment around it over time?


• Could it be dangerous for people? If so, how?


• How long will it last? How much waste would it create?

Sustainable building materials:

• Will moderate temperatures.


• Are long lasting and suit the local environment.


• Do not contain materials that can harm people or the environment.


• Come from local resources – support the local economy and reduce energy use
  and transportation costs.


• In hot areas sustainable building materials use light, low mass materials.


• In cold areas sustainable building materials use dense, high mass materials.

Unsustainable building materials:

• Come from non-renewable sources (cannot be replenished), which will cause
  permanent damage to ecosystems.


• Contain glues that can emit harmful gasses and toxins.


• Contain materials that can emit harmful gasses and toxins (like asbestos).


• Some paints contain lead and other toxins, which can cause health problems for
  people and the environment.


• Do not moderate temperature, therefore increasing energy costs.


• Do not last long which creates waste.