Principles of Materials
Hertfordshire has considerable sand and gravel deposits and mineral extraction is an important contributor to Hertfordshire’s economy. However, even well managed minerals extraction generates noise, dust and waste, uses significant amounts of energy and manifests itself in the form of heavy goods vehicles on the roads.
The production of cement results in a significant proportion of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. For each tonne of cement produced, a tonne of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.
Although timber is a sustainable material, it is essential that forests are well managed to avoid deforestation, associated loss of habitats and changes to the character of the landscape and ground conditions. Risks of flooding and landslides can also increase.
UK consumption of construction resources 2007
| Material | Vol (000 tonnes) |
|---|---|
| Clay | 5,752 |
| Concrete products | 62,343 |
| Insulation | 655 |
| Other cement | 18,902 |
| Plastic | 771 |
| Raw materials | 277,300 |
| Rubber | 168 |
| Slate | 156.5 |
| Steel | 3,120 |
| Timber | 6,511 |
| TOTAL | 375,678.5 |
Source: AMA Research & BRE: 'Evidence gaps for construction products, materials and waste data, 2007. Available at www.constructionwaste.info