148 Pressure on the planet’s resources is at an all-time high because of established patterns of production, consumption and extraction. Disposal of the goods resulting from these activities adds further strain to ecosystems and threatens biodiversity; in the past 50 years, humans have consumed more resources than in all previous history.1 The International Resource Panel defines natural resources as metals, minerals, fossil fuels, biomass, water and land.2 Negative environmental impacts result from the extraction of these resources as well as from production and assembly of building materials and finally the disposal of these materials. By tracking resources as flows through the economy at each of these stages, it is possible to develop tools and strategies to manage them more effectively, lowering their harmful impacts. Until recently, much of the damage associated with construction has been hidden from businesses because impacts on the natural world were excluded from material costs. Today, it is the responsibility of every business engaged in construction to consider the impacts of chosen materials throughout the supply chain. This means choosing materials which minimise harm – and, where possible, reversing previous damage by restoring the health of the environment. Businesses can make a significant difference simply by putting the brakes on waste. According to the World Resources Institute, one half to three quarters of annual resource inputs to industrial economies is returned to the environment as waste within just one year.3 In addition, replacing materials such as plastics, metals and cement with more sustainable alternatives can work just as well with lower environmental and other impacts. PRODUCTS AND MATER I ALS Investigating material sustainability “ One half to three quarters of annual resource inputs to industrial economies is returned to the environment as waste within just one year” US Environment Protection Agency 1 Source: US Environment Protection Agency, Sustainable Materials Management 2 Source: United Nations Environment Programme, BDNR 3 Source: US Environment Protection Agency, Sustainable Materials Management
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