Wood is by far the most environmentally friendly construction material. Not only is it a renewable resource, it is a recyclable one. This is vital if we are to preserve our resources and minimize our global environmental impact. Buildings constructed of wood benefit from wood's superior insulating properties. They are more efficient than concrete or steel, which translates into long-term energy savings and a reduced load on our environment.
 |
Wood | Steel | Concrete |
|---|---|---|---|
Total Energy Use |
Lowest |
140% more |
70% more |
Greenhouse Gas |
Lowest |
45% more |
81% more |
Air Pollution |
Lowest |
42% more |
67% more |
Water Pollution |
Lowest |
1,900% more |
90% more |
Solid Waste |
Lowest |
36% more |
96% more |
Ecological Resource Use |
Lowest |
16% more |
97% more |
Concrete or steel requires tremendous amounts of energy to produce. Fossil fuels such as gas, oil or coal are likely to be consumed in the manufacturing process, leading to greater emissions of greenhouse gasses. If you consider the total energy needed for resource extraction, manufacture, construction, service and post-use disposal you will see that concrete takes nearly twice as much energy to produce, while steel production demands more than two and a half times as much energy as wood. Sheet metal manufacture uses twenty five times more water and releases three to six times more carbon dioxide than wood. In fact, trees act as a 'carbon sink' absorbing the excess carbon dioxide that may contribute to global warming. At Interfor, we believe wood use is good for the environment.
Learn more about the Athena Project at www.athenasmi.ca
Interfor actively supports the market development and use of wood products.
For more information on the benefits of wood please visit:
Canadian Wood Council www.cwc.ca
Wood Promotion Network at www.beconstructive.com.