Sustainable Awareness in Costa Rica. Part 2/2 – Green Construction in Costa Rica.

Green Construction in Costa Rica.

It is no secret that the development boom has not always been good for the environment, especially when the typical construction is done with concrete block and steel rebar which is used to meet earthquake-proof codes and to accommodate local methods.

However, a new green building product, Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB), has recently landed in Costa Rica and may revolutionize the construction industry.

Compressed Earth Blocks are made with abundant local materials of sand, clay, and aggregate material that can be found at just about any construction site. The earth that is moved while clearing home sites is now put to use instead of wasted, or ending up as runoff into local rivers and streams.

It is the ultimate sustainable local building material and it is less expensive than concrete block. Concrete has the highest net embodied energy of any traditional building material.

Even though concrete itself has an inherently low embodied energy, it must be quarried, produced and transported. Additionally, it is the most widely used material in existence, thus producing a high net effect of emissions. The use of concrete is so widespread that nearly 2 tons is produced for every person on the planet.

The use of modern Compressed Earth Blocks seems to have originated in the 1950s in South America. But not until the 1980s did many European countries provide standards that enabled widespread acceptance and use.

Habitat for Humanity has now been building with CEB for many years in Central America. Earth blocks are exceptionally strong, always exceeding 1,000 PSI. CEB constructions will last centuries vs. today’s several-decades maximum.

CEB also capitalizes on thermal mass, which allows for heat retention in winter and heat release in summer.

Earth block structures are virtually soundproof and are thus ideal for urban environments, also providing these environments with more pleasing aesthetics and increasing overall temperature stability.

Earth blocks can be used to build green homes, condo buildings, landscape walls, roofing tile, floor tiles, and brick road pavers. One company has been making machines for 20 years, and is now in 70 countries, with over 2,000 machines in operation.

Compressed Earth Blocks are cost effective for builders and developers, saving not only in the cost-per-block, but they can be made on site, thus eliminating transportation costs while sustainably allocating waste soil on the project site.

And as the majority of people become more conscious of sustainable living, this green building product will give developers the power to market sustainable elements in their project, sealing it with authenticity and integrity.

Saving time and money, building green without giving up quality, makes using CEB a no-brainer and a win-win for everyone.

The environmentally friendly initiatives and projects that are taking place throughout the world, with Costa Rica at the forefront, represent the emerging concept of Conscious Capitalism.

As a politically and economically stable “developing” country, Costa Rica may be one of the safest and most opportune countries for these cutting edge green investments.

An appreciative green consumer has shown that they are ready to support businesses that make a real contribution to society and wellness. This interconnectedness between business profit, ethical investing, and sustainable living presents a wonderful opportunity for humanity to choose a better path.

Permaculture embodies this multi-faceted effort to restore balance and regain much of what has been lost.

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Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.