Book Description

There is great potential for crops and by-products of animal husbandry to help reduce the environmental impact of construction. Their use in construction can also contribute to the economic viability of agriculture in Europe and worldwide by adding value to existing crops, stimulating development of new crops and providing a market for waste materials.

The handbook focuses on products that are available now and shows how they can be used successfully in construction projects. It also covers products that are being developed or are likely to be available soon. Environmental benefits from using crop-based materials include better air quality, natural management of moisture levels and reduced incidence of allergic reactions.

This publication is intended for the widest range of decision-makers and participants in the construction sector, including those who commission, design and build projects. It will be of particular interest to anyone with an interest in reducing the environmental impact of the construction process.

108 pages

Contents: Summary, Acknowledgements, Glossary and abbreviations, 1 Executive summary, 2 How to use this handbook, 3 Introduction, 4 Background, 5 Insulation, 6 Light structural wall materials, 7 Paints and finishes, 8 Crop-based products used in floor coverings, 9 Applications of crop-based geotextiles, 10 Thatch, 11 Case studies, 12 Current developments and future challenges, 13 Conclusions and further work, References and sources of further information