With many industries and individuals alike taking a focus on their carbon footprint contribution, it’s no surprise that the realm of construction is looking for environmentally friendly options.
But do interlocking concrete blocks contribute to a greener construction site? And if so, how?
In this blog, we will explore the question ‘Are interlocking concrete blocks the secret to greener construction sites?’
At PPC Concrete Products, we are here to provide solutions for your construction needs, from the person working their own part-time project, to commercial clients, and everyone in-between.
Is there legislation or policy that influences green practices in construction?
Yes, there are a few legislations and policies aimed at promoting eco-friendly building practices. The UK’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is a major driver for this legislation.
Here are some areas of UK legislation and policy:
Key UK legislation and policy for eco-friendly building:
1. Building Regulations 2010
These regulations set minimum standards for various aspects of building design and construction. Building regulations also encourage material reuse through pre-demolition audits and material passports.
2. National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF):
This sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these should be applied.
- It has an overarching environmental objective to “protect and enhance our natural, built and historic environment; including making effective use of land, improving biodiversity, using natural resources prudently, minimising waste and pollution, and mitigating and adapting to climate change, including moving to a low carbon economy.”
- Local planning authorities develop their local plans and make decisions based on the NPPF, often requiring developments to demonstrate sustainable practices, including sustainable drainage and material use.
3. Climate Change Act 2008:
- This landmark legislation established a legally binding target for the UK to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It sets carbon budgets and mandates progress towards net-zero. This underpins many of the specific building regulations and policies.
Can Interlocking concrete blocks help with eco-friendly building practices?
Interlocking concrete blocks contribute to several aspects of these legislative and policy aims:
1. Reduced carbon emissions:
- Embodied carbon: While concrete has embodied carbon, many interlocking block manufacturers use recycled content in their blocks. This significantly reduces the embodied carbon of the product compared to virgin materials. Manufacturers who can demonstrate this through Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) will be highly valued.
2. Waste minimisation (building regulations):
- Mortar-less Construction: Eliminates mortar waste.
- Reduced cutting Waste: Precision manufacturing leads to less on-site cutting and scrap.
- Reusability: A major benefit! If a structure is no longer needed, the blocks can be disassembled and reused for another project, aligning perfectly with circular economy principles and significantly reducing landfill waste.
3. Responsible sourcing of materials:
- Many interlocking block manufacturers are certified under schemes like BES 6001. Using products with such accreditation demonstrates responsible sourcing, which is highly valued in environmental assessments and can contribute to positive outcomes under planning policies.
4. BREEAM certification (Voluntary) :
- While not legislation, BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the UK’s leading certification scheme for sustainable buildings. It assesses buildings across categories like energy, water, materials, waste, and pollution.
- Interlocking concrete blocks can contribute positively to a BREEAM rating in several categories:
- Materials: By demonstrating responsible sourcing, low embodied carbon, and high recycled content.
- Waste: Due to their reusability and reduced on-site waste.
- Water: If permeable blocks are used, they significantly contribute to sustainable drainage strategies.
- Pollution: Reduced site run-off and improved water quality from PICPs.
Does using interlocking concrete blocks contribute to a more eco-friendly construction site?
Yes, interlocking concrete blocks can contribute quite a lot to an eco-friendly construction site. This is due to factors such as the design of the blocks, its methods of application and more.
Here are the green benefits interlocking concrete blocks can provide for a construction site:
Less waste
- Interlocking concrete blocks are made with precision. As the name suggests, they ‘interlock’ in order to create a durable bond, so much so that it bypasses the need for mortar.
- Because the need and use of mortar is bypassed, there is far less potential for waste material.
- Their modular design also allows for easier repositioning, reconfiguration, and even relocation. This further minimises waste if changes are needed during a project or for temporary structures.
Reusability
- As highlighted above, interlocking concrete blocks can be reused in more than one way. This means that temporary structures can have their blocks reused for another project. This reduces the need for new blocks, reducing production processes and saving energy.
- Many interlocking concrete blocks are also manufactured using recycled materials, such as recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) further reducing their environmental footprint.
Straightforward installing
- Due to the simplicity of the interlocking concrete block design, assembly is extremely straightforward, generally requiring fewer machines and manpower.
- This reduction in construction time, labour and equipment, directly translate into lower energy consumption from machinery, resulting in fewer emissions in the long run.
- Interlocking concrete blocks can generally be installed on flat surfaces without the need for foundations. This means reduced environmental impact, saving material and the need to excavate in most cases.
Longevity
- Due to the materials, used, interlocking concrete blocks can not only withstand heavy loads, or serious weather conditions, but also different levels of impact. This translates to longevity, which in eco-friendly terms, means fewer repairs and replacements needed, reducing its environmental impact.
Reduced emissions
- By using less mortar, requiring less labour, and rarely needing work after installation, the overall carbon footprint of construction activities can be lowered through interlocking concrete blocks.
- If locally sourced materials are used for their manufacture, transportation-related emissions can also be minimised even further.
Can interlocking concrete blocks replace traditional building methods?
Not exactly. In certain situations, interlocking concrete blocks can supplement and often outperform traditional building methods, but this is for specific structures. But they cannot universally replace them.
For applications like retaining walls, storage bays, flood defences, temporary structures, and even some basements/foundations, they offer significant advantages: rapid, mortar-less installation, reusability, and suitability for challenging weather.
This makes them ideal for industrial, personal, agricultural, and civil engineering projects where speed, strength, and flexibility are paramount.
However, for main structural elements of multi-story buildings, complex architectural designs, or situations requiring extensive internal finishing, traditional methods remain dominant.
Do interlocking concrete blocks have limitations?
Depending on the construction requirement, interlocking concrete blocks can have limitations, which include
- Weight, they require heavy lifting equipment. This can be an issue with smaller builds with a limited budget. In a wide majority of cases, interlocking concrete blocks can not be moved without heavy lifting equipment and an experienced operator.
- Although they can be used in a multitude of ways, they have a limited design versatility compared to custom poured concrete. That being said, interlocking concrete blocks can be produced in various sizes.
- Their aesthetic may not be suitable for all projects.
Greener construction options with PPC
As an established supplier all over the UK, PPC Concrete Products is always happy to help, which is why we encourage you to get in touch with any questions you may have or have a look at our FAQ.
In this blog, we hope to have answered the question ‘Are interlocking concrete blocks the secrete to greener construction sites?’ Whilst also providing extra information in regard to construction solutions that we offer.
Take a read of our case studies to truly understand how we have provided solutions for business in the past with the use of our interlocking concrete blocks, and ultimately, how we can help you today.
Read our blog page for more insights into our passion, construction.
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The Old Gasworks,
Higginshaw Lane,
Royton,
Oldham,
OL2 6HQ
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Tel: 01706 655245
Email: info@ppcconcreteproducts.co.uk
