Not-for-profit ecolabeling organisation Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) has announced the release of a new standard for cement, concrete and concrete products.
Developed by GECA and introduced after consultation with industry professionals, the new standard covers a range of conventional and alternative cements and concrete products and aims to reduce the significant environmental impact of concrete production, especially during the sourcing and manufacturing phases of its lifecycle.
The organisation says that it has become imperative to address the environmental concerns of concrete production and construction and says the new standard will consider things like the quantities of raw materials, water and energy used during production, as well as CO2 release.
The standard seeks to support and reward manufacturers who make efforts to minimise the environmental, health and social impacts of cement and concrete production. Manufacturers certified under the new standard will also be able to provide assurance to procurers and specifiers that their product meets strict sustainability criteria.
The new GECA standard is currently being reviewed for recognition under the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) Green Star ratings tools, and is recognised by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia’s (ISCA) ratings system.
GECA welcomes applications from manufacturers of cement, concrete and concrete products for certification under the new standard.
The full standard is available upon request from the GECA website.
