How does concrete effect the environment compared to wood and steel?
A. Concrete is one of the most inert building materials in use today. It does not rot, burn or rust, providing durability that significantly outlasts many other building materials including wood and steel. The cement industry utilizes industrial byproducts like fly ash and consumes less energy than its competitors. According to the Department of Energy, U.S. cement production accounts for 0.33 percent of energy consumptionlower production levels than steel production at 1.8 percent and wood production at 0.5 percent. In addition, it places less stress on our environment to acquire the raw materials for concrete than steel or wood. Thus, concrete is an excellent choice for sustainable development.
