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Environmental building trends have a firm hold on the construction industry. Many states and municipalities are requiring a certain level of green or sustainable steps in their new building projects. Homeowners and commercial building owners alike are looking for ways to save money on energy bills through energy efficient designs in their new buildings. Other owners look to ensure their new structures offer people a safe place to live or work.

"Going green" can mean different things for different contractors, and it can be difficult to keep up on what's going on in the industry. As a concrete contractor it's important to know how concrete can contribute to sustainable design now and what's on the horizon.

In May, Concrete Contractor attended the "Concrete Technology Forum: Focus on Sustainable Development." Sponsored by the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA), the forum was a meeting place for members of the industry interested in learning where concrete manufacturers are headed in regards to sustainable design and green building. This article serves as a report on some of the topics discussed.

The latest in the industry
When looking at concrete as a sustainable product, there are two sides to the story. You can look at the negative side, where greenhouse gases are created during cement production and natural resources such as sand, stone and water are mined. Fuel issues also arise in regards to the energy used for mining and transporting concrete's ingredients.

The positive side looks at the benefits of concrete in a sustainable building project. Concrete is made up largely of local materials, it offers the potential for an energy efficient design and the structures it is built with have a long usable life. Following are some of the ways concrete excels in green building design and some information on the latest trends in these areas. Many of these techniques and products can be used to earn points toward a green certification.