Four Popular Recycled Building Materials

These days, sustainable materials are much more than a special feature for homebuilding companies: they are a necessity. Homebuyers across the globe want builders to create beautiful homes with safe, recyclable materials — and many builders are delivering in truly unique ways. Here are some of today’s popular recyclable building materials.

Plastics

Humans produce 380 million tons of plastic waste each year. Sadly, much of that waste sits in landfills or floats in the ocean for years, as it does not decompose. But homebuilders have found a new way to use the plastic that is sitting in landfills around the world: build with it.

For example, homebuilders in Nova Scotia have created homes by shredding and melting down plastic bottles. The result is lightweight, yet sturdy walls 6-inches thick — and 600,000 plastic bottles removed from landfills forever. By using plastic in your home building projects, you can create a space for your clients that is comfortable, safe, and sustainable.

Glass

Glass tiles can be a gorgeous addition to any home. Whether you are using them for a kitchen backsplash, to create a buffer between two flooring spaces, or building an artistic display for the bathroom – glass always adds a classy touch. But what’s better than glass tiles? Recycled glass tiles. There are many companies that create beautiful tile work from recycled glass bottles. Adding these to a space will add elegance and refinement with an eco-friendly flair — the perfect choice for today’s homebuyer.

Steel

Another building material that is on the rise among the eco-conscious is steel. Recycled steel panels can be excellent building tools for custom homes, providing energy efficiency and sturdy walls for a lower cost than traditional building methods. Homeowners can enjoy a unique-looking home that’s strong and environmentally friendly.

And steel is not just recycled — it is also recyclable. Steel does not lose its structural integrity no matter how many times you recycle it, and that means homes built out of steel can be reused in the future for other purposes. This is a great value add for eco-conscious homebuyers, as they will know that their home will not contribute to further pollution.

Insulation

All homes need insulation to help with temperature control and to ensure a comfortable living space. However, there are plenty of ways to insulate a home using recycled materials. This can help lower costs for the builder and help minimize the amount of waste materials in our landfills.

New home builders have used plastic bottles as effective insulation. Fiberglass is also an effective insulation tool that can be pulled from landfills and recycled for building projects. Home builders can even put old Levi’s to good use; denim can be an excellent insulation material, offering superior energy-efficiency and sustainability over traditional insulation. These recycled materials can provide exceptional value within the homes you create.

As a homebuilder in Northern California, Blue Mountain Communities incorporate recycled building materials into our homes and business practices. Homeowners appreciate the sustainable features provided in their homes and it is an overall positive impact for the planet.