Eco-Friendly Concrete Options for Sustainable New Haven Homes

Why Should I Use Eco-Friendly Concrete?

Before looking at options, there are a few reasons to choose eco-friendly concrete:

• Lower carbon footprint
• Saves natural resources
• Improves the air and water quality
• Aligns with the City of New Haven’s sustainability goals
• May provide points toward LEED certification

Pervious Concrete: Helping New Haven Stormwater Issues

Of all the eco-friendly concrete options available, one of the most exciting is pervious concrete. Pervious concrete is unique in that it allows water to pass through the surface, which helps to lower the amount of stormwater runoff and recharge the groundwater.

Benefits to New Haven:

• Helps take the burden off the City of New Haven’s stormwater management system
• Helps to stop flooding in low-lying areas
• Removes pollutants from the rainwater
• Best suited for driveways, walkways, and parking lots

Recycled Aggregate Concrete

Recycled aggregate concrete uses recycled materials from demolished buildings, thereby reducing the need to use new raw materials.

How does New Haven do this:

• New Haven sources recycled aggregates from local demolition projects
• By doing so, New Haven reduces the amount of emissions from transportation of the aggregates and supports the local economy
• New Haven’s recycled aggregate concrete is identical in strength and durability to traditional mixes

Applications for:

• Foundations
• Driveways
• Commercial floors

Carbon-Cured Concrete

Although it is still in the infancy stages of development, carbon-cured concrete has shown great promise as a new technology. Carbon-cured concrete captures CO2 during the curing process and converts it into a component of the concrete, which may increase the strength of the concrete while sequestering the carbon.

Future possibilities:

• New Haven is currently watching this technology to see if it would be viable for future use within the city of New Haven
• If successful, carbon-cured concrete could greatly decrease the carbon footprint associated with producing concrete

Local Materials

While not a specific type of concrete, utilizing locally sourced materials is yet another way New Haven makes its concrete more environmentally friendly.

How we approach local materials:

• We look to utilize aggregates from Connecticut quarries
• Our cement is produced by regional cement companies
• Using local materials reduces transportation distance and promotes local businesses

Green Concrete Additives

There are many different green additives available to improve the performance of concrete, reduce its environmental impact, and enhance the properties of the concrete:

• Photocatalytic additives that help clean polluted air
• Bio-based plasticizers that improve the workability of the concrete
• Natural fibers for reinforcement of the concrete to minimize cracking

Conclusion

Regardless of whether you’re constructing a new driveway, patio, or commercial building project, think about incorporating some of these sustainable alternatives into your plans. In addition to creating something aesthetically pleasing for your home, you’ll be creating a more sustainable community in the City of New Haven.

Want to learn more about the eco-friendly concrete options for your property in New Haven? Contact us at New Haven Concrete Company today to set up a consultation. Together, let’s develop long-lasting, sustainable concrete options for your property.