Life is always moving and humans are evolving faster We all have larger than life desires and we channel all the resources to get what we want. But here's the thing, we only have one earth, one source of all for all of us to sustain, where everything is connected and related. Earths natural resources are sustainable and replenish themselves on their own. However, the “growth” mechanisms of human civilization, the ever-expanding needs and development has led mother earth to some very critical points.

With the ever-increasing greenhouse gases and carbon footprints, the earth is suffering. Climate activists have estimated to changing or turning this around will take massive alternatives and rethinking how and what growth means to us.

With the search for alternatives, a commercial and industrial sector with the help of scientific discoveries has started obtaining sustainable, biodegradable and profitable resources which are easy to procure.

Here is what we found to be the most effective Alternative Materials that you can incorporate in your daily life and industrial spaces:

CORK

Seen on champagne bottles and used in bulletin boards, these sustainable and lightweight materials have found their way in the construction and architectural sector in the most versatile and dynamic ways.

Pleasing and low maintenance is obtained by cutting no tress. Extracted from the bark of oak trees which is then processed to make a durable and long-lasting material as interconnected blocks and roof tiles

Cork is used in roof tiles, buildings and home interiors

COB

 Cob is a mixture of sandy soil, clay and straw. It has presented itself as one of the most cost-effective, eco-friendly and dynamic and diversified styling range.

Used in unique homestays and furniture, Cob can be moulded and built directly into the walls.

Cob makes an excellent insulator and is sound absorbent with very little to maintain and restore. With ever-increasing demands and expensive housing, Cob for sure make a very sustainable and eco-friendly alternate material

MYCELIUM

YES ITS A MUSHROOM ! Mycelium are the tiny thread-like roots of mushrooms that provide an alternative to concrete and other construction projects.

Mycelium is fully biodegradable and compostable, yet when dried out makes a very strong and durable material and can resist fire and stronger temperatures.

It provides endless possibilities in various industries like leather, art, food, shipping and construction. It is even used in packaging material, meat alternatives and skincare products. Mycelium is a non-toxic building material and can be contrarily used in making bricks and 3D printing.

STRAW BALES

You may have come across straw bales in grasslands and pasture lands of Europe and America.

These biodegradable and all-natural straws can be easily harvested and used in framing and material building for housing construction.

They have the renewability factor of straws of oats, rye, wheat and rice. It is cost-effective and easy to use with local availability.

Straws are not wearable from moisture and can keep warm or colder temperatures sustained in a house or similar construction.

COFFEE HUSK

Coffee is commonly known and enjoyed a drink, however, the coffee husk is the skin of the coffee bean that dries and falls off during the roasting process.

Woodpecker company has developed building blocks made of recycled plastic and coffee husks that link around a steel frame to create highly affordable homes that are easy to install and also serve in family homes and classrooms in less income range places. This company has sold homes as low as 5000 dollars in the country of Africa where coffee is mostly produced.

Benefits of coffee husk entail that it, when dries, make one of the strongest and pest resistant and moisture resistant building materials.

RECYCLED PLASTIC

Recycling of a plastic bag

As of 2019, 368 million tones of plastic is produced each year.

Recycling plastic is probably one of the most commonly used methods in the surge of sustainable living, recyclable plastic has the most dynamic range of usability when it comes to interior decor and ways to constructively juggle the same materials over and over again

Kenyan engineer Nazambi Matee produces Plastic bricks by mixing plastic and sand and heating them in high temperatures. The plastic then acts as a binder and makes one of the stronger materials against concrete and makes lightweight material too.

Recycling plastic truly posits the easiest and effective ways of curbing plastic landfills and greenhouse gas emissions.

BAMBOO

Bamboo has the potential of the most creative element while constructing interiors. From walls to roofs to entire houses bamboo projects sustainability and aesthetics in interiors.

While it is strong and eco friendly, it can grow up to 3 feet daily and has excellent durability and can withstand outside elements, making excellent construction elements for your interiors.

Bamboo has been installed in some of the most beautiful buildings of the world like bamboo pavilion by architect Rocco Yim or wind and water bar by vo Trong Nghia.

BIODEGRADABLE PAINTS

Biodegradable paints are made of a mix of milk protein, lime and mineral pigments

These materials are all-natural containing tree produce, plant oil, essential oils and dyes made of natural material like flowers.

These paints do not possess any volatile organic compounds or toxic chemicals. They are ecofriendly and do not contain toxins like the standard paints that can cause harm to both humans and the environment

Conventional paints have concentrations of heavy metals such as lead, chromium, and arsenic that can dissolve in the air and cause harm. Choosing biodegradable waste therefore is beneficial for you and the planet