Alternative materials
Priority: Locally available materials should be preferred over
materials that need to be brought in from distant places.
Alternative materials like those which can be produced with lesser energy or materials which
can be generated from wastes should be used over conventional building materials.
Reason: Use of local materials saves a lot of energy on transportation.
Alternative materials or such materials that are generated from waste may be produced with lesser energy and/or can be suitable to the existing climatic conditions. Residual building materials can be used for landscaping.
Some alternative materials that can be used are:
- Fly ash, for bricks, outdoor paving and in concrete.
- Sand and aggregate obtained from pulverised debris.
- Recycled steel for reinforcement.
- Ferro-cement and precast concrete for beams, slabs, staircases, lofts , balconies, lintels, sunshades and 'jalis'
- Industrial waste based bricks and blocks, aerated lightweight BPC concrete blocks, Phospho-Gypsum based blocks and Latoblocks for masonry structures.
- Fibre reinforced Clay Plaster / Non-erodable Mud Plaster / Phospho-Gypsum Plaster for different plastering work.
- Terrazzo flooring for terraces and semi-open areas
- Alternative materials for timber like MDF board, Mica Laminates and Veneers on composite boards should be used instead of natural timber. Timber used must be renewable timber or from salvaged wood. Boards made of bamboo, bagasse, coir composite boards and fibre reinforced polymer boards should be used.
- Unplasticised Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) or High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) products and products with recycled aluminium and brass components should be used for electrical fittings and fixtures.