Environmental issues are among the most pressing challenges facing the world today. As population growth, resource depletion, pollution emissions and climate change intensify, we need to find greener, low-carbon and circular development models to protect the Earth's ecosystem and human well-being. Materials science plays a crucial role in this process. Materials are the basic elements that make up objects and buildings, and they are also an important factor in energy efficiency and environmental impact. By choosing more environmentally friendly materials, the goal of sustainable development can be achieved by reducing the extraction and consumption of natural resources, lowering waste generation and disposal, and increasing the lifespan and recycling rate of products.
In this article, we will introduce seven of the most environmentally friendly materials, which are:
Biodegradable plastic
Bamboo
Hemp
Mushroom
Graphene
Solar Cells
Cement
Biodegradable Plastics
Plastic is a widely used synthetic material that is used in a variety of fields due to its lightweight, durable, inexpensive, and diverse characteristics. However, plastics also pose serious environmental problems. According to statistics, about 300 million tons of plastic waste is generated each year, of which only about 10% is recycled, with most of the rest going to landfills or into the oceans.1 Not only does this plastic waste take up a large amount of land space, but it also releases toxic substances that pollute the soil and water sources, posing a hazard to humans, animals and plants. In addition, plastic waste forms a huge "plastic soup" in the ocean, threatening the balance of the marine ecosystem.
To solve this problem, scientists have developed a new type of plastic - biodegradable plastic. Biodegradable plastics are plastics that can be broken down by microorganisms into environmentally benign substances (e.g., water, carbon dioxide, methane, etc.) under specific conditions.2 Biodegradable plastics can be made from renewable resources (e.g., corn, cassava, sugar cane, etc.), or they can be made from oil or natural gas. Biodegradable plastics have similar or better properties than ordinary plastics and can be used to make a variety of products such as paper, fabric, leather, disposable tableware, disposable shopping bags, etc1.
Biodegradable plastics have the following advantages over ordinary plastics:
It can reduce dependence on fossil energy sources such as petroleum, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ease the pressure of global warming.
It can be naturally decomposed in a shorter period of time, reducing pollution and harm to the environment and protecting biodiversity.
It can improve the utilization efficiency of resources, save costs and promote the development of circular economy.
Of course, there are some challenges and limitations of biodegradable plastics, for example:
The production cost of biodegradable plastics is high and the market competitiveness is low, which needs the support and promotion of policies and society.
The decomposition speed and effect of biodegradable plastics are affected by temperature, humidity, light, microorganisms and other factors, and need to be under specific conditions to realize complete degradation.
Biodegradable plastics are difficult to recycle and need to be collected and handled separately from ordinary plastics, otherwise the performance and quality of each other will be affected.
Therefore, although biodegradable plastics are a promising environmentally friendly material, they need to be continuously improved and refined to suit different application scenarios and needs.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a common plant distributed in Asia, Africa, America and other regions. Bamboo is characterized by fast growth, resistance to diseases and pests, and adaptability, and is regarded as a symbol of good fortune, resilience, and elegance in traditional culture. Bamboo can be used not only as food, medicinal herbs, handicrafts, etc., but also as a high-quality building material. Bamboo has the following advantages:
Bamboo is a renewable resource with a growth cycle of only 3-5 years, far less than the 10-20 years for wood. Bamboo can continue to grow after harvesting and does not need to be replanted, thus saving land resources and labor costs.
Bamboo has properties such as high strength, high toughness, high elasticity and light weight, which can be comparable to or surpassed by steel or concrete. Bamboo can be used to make various structures and forms of buildings, such as bridges, roofs, walls and floors.
Bamboo has good properties such as heat insulation, sound insulation, mold resistance and corrosion resistance, which can improve the comfort and durability of buildings. Bamboo also has natural beauty and cultural flavor, which can increase the aesthetic value and cultural connotation of buildings.
Bamboo has the following advantages over wood or other building materials:
Bamboo can reduce the destruction and consumption of forest resources and protect the ecological environment and biodiversity.
Bamboo can reduce energy consumption and pollution emissions generated during transportation and processing of building materials, reducing carbon footprint and environmental impact.
Bamboo can provide more employment opportunities and sources of income, especially for farmers and workers in poor areas and developing countries.
Of course, there are some challenges and limitations of bamboo, for example:
Bamboo requires special treatment and protection to prevent problems such as insect infestation, cracks and deformation, and to improve its stability and durability.
The design and construction of bamboo requires specialized skills and experience to ensure its safety and reliability and to avoid accidents such as structural failure or collapse.
The use of bamboo is limited and restricted by a number of laws and codes, and requires communication and coordination with local governments and communities to obtain permission and support.
Therefore, although bamboo is a potential environmentally friendly building material, it needs to be constantly innovated and developed to suit different markets and needs.
