Environmentally sustainable building materials
- Submission status
- Closed
- Submission deadline
The quest for environmentally sustainable building materials has gained unprecedented momentum in recent years, reflecting a global shift towards eco-conscious construction practices. Sustainable construction practices are embracing the circular economy model, which revolutionizes traditional linear "take, make, dispose" systems. Materials sourced responsibly, designed for reusability, and repurposed at the end of their life cycles are hallmarks of a circular approach. This collection seeks to highlight original research that advances the understanding, fabrication, performance, or recycling of environmentally sustainable building materials, in anticipation of a profound shift in material sustainability for construction. Each perspective contributes to the ongoing narrative of a construction industry that not only builds structures but actively shapes a sustainable, resilient, and environmentally responsible future.
A defining characteristic of environmentally sustainable materials is their low embodied carbon footprint. Beyond selecting materials with minimal greenhouse gas emissions throughout their life cycle, the integration of carbon sequestration technologies into building materials represents a pivotal advancement. Materials that actively capture and store carbon dioxide during their existence contribute to a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. From innovative wood products to advanced concrete formulations, these materials exemplify a dual-purpose approach — structural integrity combined with a positive impact on the environment. Durability is another critical aspect in the selection of sustainable materials, ensuring longevity and minimizing the need for frequent replacements or repairs. These materials also align with the circular economy model by promoting a "cradle-to-cradle" approach, where products are designed to be easily recyclable or reusable at the end of their life cycle.
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 11.
Editors
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Sze Dai Pang, PhD
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore
The Collection will publish original research Articles, Reviews, Perspectives and Comments (full details on content types can be found here). Papers will be published in npj Materials Sustainability as soon as they are accepted and then collected together and promoted on the Collection homepage. All Guest Edited Collections are associated with a call for papers and are managed by one or more of our Editorial Board Members and the journal's Editors.
This Collection welcomes submissions from all authors – and not by invitation only – on the condition that the manuscripts fall within the scope of the Collection and of npj Materials Sustainability more generally. See our editorial process page for more details.
All submissions are subject to the same peer review process and editorial standards as regular npj Materials Sustainability articles, including the journal’s policy on competing interests. The Editor has no competing interests with the submissions, which they handle through the peer-review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editor has competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests. See our Collections guidelines for more details.
This Collection is not supported by sponsorship.
