Concrete’s Enviromental Benefits  An important SNCA goal is to promote the use of concrete in sustainable, or "green" building practices.
Concrete pavements are the responsible choice for our environment. Unlike petroleum-based products which use up our fossil fuel reserves, concrete is manufactured from three abundant, readily available ingredients: water aggregate and Portland cement. Concrete is built to last decades longer than alternative pavements.
The concrete and cement industries also rely on materials from other industrial processes that are diverted away from landfills. Slag (which comes from the steel industry) can be used to partially replace rocks. Also fly-ash (that comes from the power industry) or ground blast-furnace slag can be used to replace as much asphalt of the cement used in concrete. Even the process of making cement uses recycled materials. High-energy waste, such as scrap tires, can be safely used as fuel for the cement- making process. Each year, a single cement kiln can use 1 million scrap tires, conserving fossil fuels and reducing waste.
As a pavement, it reduces energy costs in many ways. The reflective quality of concrete's neutral color creates a brighter surface allowing the amount of night light to be reduced. Up to 27% of light falling on a concrete surface will be reflected, compared to as little as 5% of light from asphalt pavements. This saves energy and offers real safety benefits This reflectivity keeps cooler during the day reducing energy costs in adjacent buildings. Concrete is also the smoothest rolling surface, promoting better fuel economy.
In urban areas, concrete also reduces the heat-island effect, a phenomenon associated with dark pavement and roof surfaces that cause temperature increases. The urban heat-island effect can contribute significantly to both energy consumption for air conditioning, and to smog formation.
Newer concrete techniques now allow water to filter through rather than run-off allowing for better storm water and pollution control.
Home and building owners who have built with concrete can lower their heating and cooling bills by 25 percent. Heating, ventilating and air conditioning of concrete structures can be designed with smaller capacity equipment.
Concrete is showing the way for communities to turn gray into Green and is the responsible choice for our workplace, homes and community.
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