Going green is becoming a new way of life. The whole world seems to be more conscious about being less harmful to the environment, and it’s no different in the Philippines.
When Filipinos talk about “going green”, it’s usually about recycling, choosing organic food, or using less electricity or fuel at home or on the road.
Green building uses the same principles. Green materials are constructed and developed through a sustainable supply chain, resulting in building materials that aren’t made with environmentally harmful chemicals. They also lessen construction waste by using materials that are sustainable and degrade less over time.
Construction waste
The construction industry contributes around 30 percent of solid wastes that end up in landfills, according to some estimates. But there is a way of reducing this, experts say.
Instead of using traditional methods and materials, construction companies can adopt “green building” materials and technologies, which can significantly reduce waste products, said Micaela Rosette Santos, vice chair for the Green Certification System of the Philippine Green Building Initiative.
Builders simply need to keep in mind five Rs when procuring materials for their projects: reuse, recycle, rapidly renewable, regionally sourced, and responsibly grown, Santos said.
“If it’s a building or material, if you reuse it, you lessen the impact [on the environment],” Santos said.
Materials with recycled components are preferable. Rapidly renewable building materials that come from the region where the construction project is being done also result in lesser waste.
“Sometimes they say that ‘green’ is expensive. [But] it just takes proper planning, the proper choice of materials to use. Sometimes it does not entail cost,” she said.
No PR stunt
Raymond Rufino, chairman of the Urban Land Institute (ULI)-Philippines National Council, said “going green” today is no longer just a PR stunt or a corporate social responsibility (CSR) idea.
“Developers now build green buildings because they’re demanded by clients and also because it’s already part of the environmental regulation (in some countries and cities),” said Rufino
He noted that while clients are driving the demand to go green, developers who seriously adhere to this movement are the ones that attract the top-tier clients.
While many developments in the Philippines are being marketed as having adopted green building practices, not all are “green” certified, Rufino pointed out.
“Get your projects certified ‘green’ because that’s the only way people would know the necessary things you did to get the credential,” he advised.
Compared to a handful of LEED-certified projects in the Philippines in 2010, the US Green Building Council database of green buildings shows there are currently 92 real estate projects that have been awarded LEED certifications in the Philippines, with more currently registered and undergoing the application process.
Closer to home
Building an eco-friendly home can have a big pay off. Here are some reasons to go for green building.
Minimizes carbon footprint
Using traditionally sourced materials like steel, concrete, and virgin lumber require lots of fuel and resources to make and produce. Green materials are produced more efficiently as it requires less natural resources, produced locally with less waste over time.
1. Lessens electricity bill
The Philippines endures environmental extremes at both ends of the spectrum throughout the year. A well-constructed green home will assist in regulating the temperature and moisture in your home, which means a possible lesser use of artificial cooling devices like air-conditioners and ventilation fans.
2. Cost-effective investment
Choosing alternatives like reclaimed lumber, galvanized iron, or even fiber cement boards like James Hardie, save you energy and money over time because they degrade slowly.
3. DIY to build green
Building green at home can be your very own DIY project. You can start small like replacing your traditional incandescent lights with LED options as they consume less energy, last longer, and cost more or less the same as energy-sapping bulbs. For home repairs, fiber cement boards can be used for a roof’s eaves.
4. Green materials are intelligently made
Green building materials that were produced mindfully, reduce concerns about how safe, or how well your house parts will withstand the elements and the ravages of time.
Healthy community
Rufino, who is also the chairman of the Philippine Green Building Council which developed the Berde rating system, said the trend of sustainable spaces is not only meant to attract investors but also targets the improvement to the quality of life of tenants and homeowners.
“Going green is more than just protecting the environment and achieving lower operating costs. It is also about creating a community of healthy, wealthy and happy people,” he said.
