Sustainability

Concrete and carbon

Concrete is one of the most carbon-intensive materials in modern construction — roughly 8% of global CO2 emissions come from cement production. We don’t pretend otherwise. What we can do is choose mixes, suppliers and design approaches that reduce the footprint without compromising structural performance.

Lower-carbon mixes

All Sydney’s major suppliers now offer cement-replacement mixes — typically slag (GGBFS) or fly ash blended into the cement to reduce the clinker content. These mixes are EPD-rated, structurally equivalent for most applications, and can reduce embodied carbon by 20–40% on a typical slab.

If your project is targeting a Green Star, NABERS or other sustainability rating, we’ll work with your ESD consultant to specify the right mix at design stage. Brands like Boral Envirocrete, Hanson EcoPlus, Holcim ECOPact all offer environmental product declarations and are sourced through our standard suppliers.

Recycled aggregate

Some mixes can use recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) for non-structural applications — footpaths, kerb fill, sub-base. We’ll specify where it suits the project.

Site practice

• Concrete wash-out captured on site, not flushed to drains.
• Offcuts and breakouts sent to recycling rather than landfill.
• Pour scheduling to minimise truck idling and return trips.
• Plant electrified where battery alternatives exist (small pumps, vibrators).

Honest framing

We’d be lying if we said concrete is a low-carbon material — it isn’t, by any honest measure. What we can promise is that on every project, we’ll take the carbon-conscious choice where it’s available, and we won’t burn material we don’t need to burn.