Building Material Selection and Use an Environmental Guide

Hariyo Ban Program Building Material Selection and Use An Environmental Guide

WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program PO Box: 7660, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal T: +977 1 4434820, | F: +977 1 4438458 [email protected], www.wwfnepal.org/hariyobanprogram

Building Material Selection and 1 Use: An Environmental Guide

Hariyo Ban Program Building Material Selection and Use An Environmental Guide Building Material Selection and ii Use: An Environmental Guide

Cover photo credit: Brick factory © WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program/ Amit Pradhan

Published by: WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program PO Box: 7660 Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal T: +977 1 4434820, F: +977 1 4438458 [email protected], www.wwfnepal.org/hariyobanprogram

Disclaimer: This environmental guide is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this document are the responsibility of WWF and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. Building Material Selection and iii Use: An Environmental Guide

Acknowledgments

Many people contributed to this guide. We are very grateful to Missaka Hettiarachchi, WWF-US Fellow, and Charith Fonseka, Lecturer, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka for undertaking extensive research and writing the guide. Many people reviewed it or helped in other ways, including Mr. Padma Kumar Mainalee, Deputy Director General, Department of Urban Development and Building Construction; Diwat Shrestha, Training Director, Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training; Sanjaya Uprety, Associate Professor, Institute of Engineering; and Chandra Laxmi Hada, Anita van Breda, Judy Oglethorpe, Jennifer Pepson Elwood, Keshav Khanal, Sabitra Dhakal and Rabindra Shah from WWF. Amit Pradhan and Jyoti Shrestha undertook production management.

We are very grateful to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for supporting Hariyo Ban Program’s green recovery work, including production of this guide. In particular, Netra Sharma Sapkota and Bronwyn Llewellyn provided support and encouragement for the green recovery work. Building Material Selection and iv Use: An Environmental Guide Building Material Selection and 1 Use: An Environmental Guide Introduction

Two massive earthquakes that hit Nepal on 25 April and identified promoting the use of safe and green building 12 May, 2015 caused far-reaching social, economic and materials and reuse of disaster debris as a key principle for environmental damage. Thirty-one of the country’s 75 environmentally sound reconstruction. If sound practices are districts were affected leaving over 8,790 deaths and 22,300 not used, we can create many future problems such as erosion, people injured. A total of 498,852 houses were categorized deforestation, landslides and floods; deprive communities of as fully collapsed or damaged beyond repair and 256,697 essential livelihood resources; and put people, infrastructure partly damaged. The earthquakes triggered thousands of and ecosystems at greater risk of future disasters. Practical landslides that destroyed 2.2% of forest cover in six affected guidelines for sustainable construction material sourcing districts (National Planning Commission 2015). Material and use are rare in Nepal. This guide to responsible building demand to rebuild half a million destroyed houses and other materials aims to provide guidance on sound practices for infrastructure will put much additional pressure on Nepal’s government, NGO and UN staff involved in relief, recovery and already stressed natural resources. reconstruction after major disasters. Nepal has a wealth of building materials which, if selected, extracted, processed The Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), Rapid and used in a sound manner, can make a major contribution Environmental Assessment (REA) and Post Disasters Recovery to better and safer reconstruction without creating additional Framework (PDRF) carried out by the Government of Nepal environmental problems for the future.

The aim of this publication is to provide general guidance for engineers, Aim architects, project managers and technicians working in disaster reconstruction projects in Nepal to select, source (or procure) and use building materials in an environmentally responsible manner. It is assummed that users have a basic knowledge about building materials and the construction process, but not advanced technical training. Building Material Selection and 2 Use: An Environmental Guide © Samir Jung Thapa

Communities at risk due to landslides in Rasuwa Building Material Selection and 3 Use: An Environmental Guide Building Material Database for Nepal Key Concepts

Think through the whole supply chain. Environmental and social impacts from for optimal design rather than either over-engineering or creating rigid requirements building materials can occur at any point in the supply chain, from sourcing raw can reduce material waste by allowing some flexibility in construction and in material materials, through processing and delivery to the site. This includes the social and options. For example, if one material or size is not available locally another can be environmental practices of manufacturers. For example, do working conditions at used in its place to achieve optimal design instead of importing additional materials the processing plant meet responsible standards? Is the processing plant disposing to fit a very specific requirement. Following material-specific storing and handling of leftover material in an environmentally and socially responsible way? However, guidelines also helps extend the shelf life of materials and ensures that materials are the first criterion for an environmentally responsible material is the safety ofthe not damaged and needing to be replaced. structure built using it. “Not safe” is “not green.” Use local sources where this can be done in a sustainable way. Local procurement Only support sound and legal sourcing of materials. In large-scale, post-disaster of materials can be a more environmentally sound strategy than the procurement rebuilding, the demand for raw materials can quickly outstrip the supply of natural of distant materials through reduced carbon emissions from transportation and resources, such as clay for bricks, sand for cement, and trees for timber. For natural resource use in packaging. Give priority to materials selected or processed example, unsound excavation of clay or clear-felling of timber on steep hillsides to with traditional knowledge. When using local materials, however, project managers rebuild hundreds or thousands of houses increases the risk of landslides and top soil should make sure that extraction, processing, and use do not put people’s health or erosion. Such environmental damage can increase risk and jeopardize the success environment at risk. of the overall recovery effort. Project managers should be aware of the sources of their building materials and make sure that they establish contract specifications Use disaster debris as a reconstruction material. One of the most environmentally for the use of sound and legally sourced materials. Using materials that have been sustainable options for construction projects in a post-disaster setting is the reuse of officially certified is one strategy for ensuring that materials have been sourced building materials in disaster debris. If using disaster debris, project managers must sustainably. Material sourcing, processing and use should be socially equitable. Any ensure that the debris meets applicable specifications for strength and safety. form of material sourcing that puts a disproportionate burden on women, children, differently-abled or socially marginalized is not sustainable. Furthermore, material Use materials with recycled content and recycle as much as possible. Materials with sourcing should not adversely impact established local livelihoods. recycled content are widely available, one example is cement produced with fly ash from coal-fired power plants. Project managers should consider using building Design to use fewer materials and reduce waste. In designing structures such as materials with recycled content where practical to reduce demand on natural houses, project managers should consider ways to effectively meet humanitarian resources and lower the project’s human and environmental impacts. Left over needs with fewer materials. Reducing packaging materials and designing structures material or material packaging should also be considered for reuse, repurposing, with standard material sizes can help to prevent waste of materials during the and/or recycling. transportation and construction phases. Designing structures and specifying materials Building Material Selection and 4 Use: An Environmental Guide © WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program/ Samir Jung Thapa © WWF Nepal, Disposal of waste material after reconstruction is always a challenge Building Material Selection and 5 Use: An Environmental Guide

Assessing material Project Cycle and Materials sourcing and reuse options, environmental 01 impact assessments, asessing livelihood Inception and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Project environmental (GESI) issues related to vision (e.g. carbon materials neutral, green building); Material related decisions in a construction project are not regulatory and social all made at one time. Different issues on material selection, requirements 02 sourcing, procurement, storage, use and disposal emerge at Feasibility 06 studies different stages of the project cycle. Figure 1 gives the typical Demolition building material related decisions you have to make and sustainability tips at different stages of the project cycle. Reuse / Green design, selecting retrofitting environmentally structures, Figure 1: Material related For example, materials that can substantially impact the cost responsible and climate recycling of decision in the construction smart materials, of construction and project management have to be selected debris very early at the inception stage even before the detailed project cycle environmental specifications designs are done – e.g. bricks versus rammed earth walls. More detailed issues, such as using water-based paints instead of solvent-based paints, can be addressed later in the design stage or construction stage. Disposal of waste material is an 03 issue that arises in the construction stage, but reuse or disposal 05 Design methods and disposal sites should be identified well ahead of Functioning commencing construction. Proper Proper transport maintainance, and storage, responsible material reuse and procurement recycling, responsible 04 procurement, Construction responsible disposal of construction waste Building Material Selection and 6 Use: An Environmental Guide

Building debris after the earthquake in Kathmandu Hariyo Ban Program/ Judy Oglethorpe © WWF Nepal, Building Material Selection and 7 Use: An Environmental Guide

General References

IASC [Inter Agency Standing Committee]. Debris as a Construction UNDP. Environmental Procurement Practice Guide. UNDP. http:// Material: The Environmental and Economic Benefits. www.ht.undp.org/content/dam/haiti/docs/reduction%20de%20 la%20pauvrete/Debris%20-TOI%20EN%20Final%2020130718. Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment. 2015. Nepal pdf Earthquake 2015: Rapid Environmental Assessment. MoSTE, Kathmandu, Nepal. UNEP [United Nations Environmental Program]. 2008. After the Tsunami: Sustainable building guidelines for South-East National Planning Commission. 2015. Nepal Earthquake 2015: Asia. UNEP. http://www.unep.org/sbci/pdfs/After-Tsunami- Post disaster needs assessment. NPC, Kathmandu, Nepal. http:// Sustainable-building-guidelines.pdf www.npc.gov.np/images/download/PDNA_Volume_A.pdf WWF Nepal. 2014. Beyond Investment: Developing sustainable National Reconstruction Authority. 2016. Nepal Earthquake green infrastructure in Nepal. Hariyo Ban Program, WWF Nepal, 2015: Post Disaster Recovery Framework. NRA, Kathmandu, Kathmandu, Nepal. www.wwfnepal.org Nepal. WWF & American Red Cross. 2010. Module 5: Materials UNDP [United Nations Development Program] . 2013. Debris and the Supply Chain, Green Recovery and Reconstruction Management: The Door to Development. UNDP. http://www. Toolkit (GRRT). WWF and American Red Cross. ht.undp.org/content/dam/haiti/docs/reduction%20de%20la%20 http://green-recovery.org/wordpress/wp-content/ pauvrete/Debris%20-TOI%20EN%20Final%2020130718.pdf uploads/2010/11/Module-5-Content-Paper.pdf Building Material Selection and 8 Use: An Environmental Guide

A2 River gravel / Concrete, random Same as above Often used after crushing None Crushed rock, crushed • To avoid waste: Refer to A1 boulders rubble masonry, into uniform sizes or fines However, in case of rubble (debris) Use alternatives to concrete / aggregate base (sand). Crushing plants landslide blocking mortar: e.g. stabilized earth concrete (ABC), road cause noise, air pollution, a natural waterway, walls base, manufacturing silting of water bodies/ removal of boulders sand, asphalt wetlands etc. and gravel may help in Use premixed concrete instead of in-situ mixing Transport affects rural restoring the stream roads. ecosystem. Use prefabricated concrete items Reuse gravel and boulders, e.g. from building rubble.

* Refer to Nepal National Building Code- NBC 101/ NBC 110 (http://www.dudbc.gov.np/buildingcode) Building Material Selection and 9 Use: An Environmental Guide

No. Material Types of use [special Environmental costs / benefits Management & Alternatives technical remarks] Issues in material extraction Issues in production / Environmental Potential material Better practices Key Specific Resources treatment / transport / benefits alternatives [References / web links] toxicity A3 Quarried rock Concrete, random Extracted from quarries; Often used after crushed None Rubble reuse Refer to A2 Technical guidelines on rubble masonry, involves blasting. Quarries into uniform sizes or fines stone quarrying [8, 18] aggregate base cause noise, dust, air pollution, (sand). Crushing plants Environmental, health, concrete (ABC), road habitat destruction, vibration cause noise, air pollution, and safety guidelines for base, manufacturing if not properly managed. silting of water bodies / construction materials sand, asphalt Unplanned rock quarrying can wetlands etc. extraction [12] cause landslides and hydro- Transport affects rural Sustainable Concrete geological impacts including roads. changes to water supplies. Construction [6] Unplanned, unprotected Leaves large pits in the Information on sustainable blasting causes occupational area, which can cause aggregates [http://www. hazards. health hazards. sustainableaggregates. com/] A4 Cement Concrete, mortar, Manufactured using limestone Manufacturing process None Lime mortar, other • To avoid waste: Sustainable Concrete plaster, stabilized and other minerals extracted causes severe air pollution cement derived Use alternatives to concrete / Construction [6] earth construction/ from quarries or mines. Can and dust. material (not suitable mortar: e.g. stabilized earth blocks cause severe mining impacts. Cement production has for concrete) walls Extraction of limestone can high energy requirement – [consistent quality, cause alteration in pH value results in carbon emissions Use premixed concrete predictable / alkalinity of soil, impacting if fossil fuels are used. instead of in-situ mixing structural strength] hydro-geology and livelihoods. Use prefabricated concrete items Use optimum concrete mix design (don’t over specify) * Use standard bricks to minimize mortar and plaster * Store properly* • Dispose of waste properly and safely; avoid unmanaged and unmonitored disposal

* Refer to Nepal National Building Code- NBC 101/ NBC 110 (http://www.dudbc.gov.np/buildingcode) Building Material Selection and 10 Use: An Environmental Guide

No. Material Types of use [special Environmental costs / benefits Management & Alternatives technical remarks] Issues in material extraction Issues in production / Environmental Potential material Better practices Key Specific Resources treatment / transport / benefits alternatives [References / web links] toxicity B - Wall material B1 Burnt bricks Walls, columns, Requires clay. Clay mining Manufactured in wood or None Cement blocks, • To reduce pollution: Indian Standard for foundations, floor causes natural habitat and coal fired kilns. Firewood stabilized earth Promote improved technology Common Burnt Clay paving farmland destruction, pollutes demand threatens forests; blocks, stabilized in brick kilns (e.g. when Building Bricks [2] water bodies, creates ponds coal releases carbon. Kilns earth walls, straw clay rebuilding after disasters) Guidelines for compressed where disease vectors can cause severe air pollution. walls, bamboo/timber stabilized earth blocks breed, alters local hydrological reinforced earth walls, Purchase bricks made in Transportation may kilns that are using less [19,21] regime, and may cause soil contribute to air pollution. prefabricated wall erosion. panels. polluting technology Guidelines for rammed earth construction [16,17] Flyash-Sand-Lime- • To avoid waste: gypsum Boards Use standard lengths and Environment Friendly (environmentally optimal wall thicknesses Indian Building Material friendly, uses industrial for Cost Effective Housing Use good packaging/ loading wastes and excellent [1-6, 13-16] practices when transporting * in size, reduces mortar consumption, quick Store in a dry place in suitable drying-excellent stack heights strength, reduced • Encourage reuse of bricks water absorption and from demolished buildings shrinkage) Clay flyash burnt bricks (environmentally friendly and energy efficient technology, better thermal performance) B2 Cement blocks Walls Requires cement, and quarried Manufactured using No firewood demand Stabilized earth • To avoid waste: Aggregate Concrete Blocks and mined material – e.g. sand, powered or manually Air pollution minimal blocks, stabilized Ensure quality control in A Guide to Selection & rock chips, gravel. (See above operated pressure molds. earth walls, straw clay manufacturing Specification [4] for impacts) Casting yards can cause walls, bamboo/timber Use standard lengths and Sustainable Concrete dust, noise and silt reinforced earth walls, Construction [6] problems. prefabricated wall optimal wall thicknesses May make water bodies panels. Proper package/ loading unusable. practices in transporting Use and transport Store in a dry place in suitable of cement may have stack heights * hazardous impact on environment.

* Refer to Nepal National Building Code- NBC 101 (http://www.dudbc.gov.np/buildingcode) Building Material Selection and 11 Use: An Environmental Guide

B3 Compressed Walls Requires soil with small Manufactured using No firewood demand Stabilized earth walls, • To avoid waste: Guidelines for compressed stabilized amounts of sand and cement. powered or manually No air pollution straw clay walls, stabilized earth blocks [not suitable for Ensure quality control in earth blocks Soil extraction can cause operated pressure molds. bamboo/timber [19,21] high moisture Minimum demand for manufacturing (CSEB) habitat destruction, landslides, Casting yards can cause reinforced earth walls, environments or load quarried material Guidelines for rammed fouling of water bodies and dust and silt problems. prefabricated wall Use standard lengths and bearing walls] earth construction [16,17] hydrological alteration. panels optimal wall thicknesses Use good packaging/ loading practices when transporting Store in a dry place in suitable stack heights Use interlocking blocks and construction methods to reduce cementmortar need B4 Earth walls Walls Requires soil. Soil extraction Fabricated in-situ using No firewood demand • Design and construct properly Guidelines for rammed (Stabilized can cause habitat destruction, wooden or steel formwork No air pollution to ensure long-term durability earth construction [16,17] earth, clay- [not suitable in landslides, fouling of water and soil / clay. • Only use in areas where earth Bamboo in Nepal: A high moisture bodies and hydrological Zero demand for straw, rammed quarried material can be extracted without Management Guide [1] earth, bamboo environments or for alteration. causing hazards or load bearing walls] No transport Guidelines For Building reinforced environmental impacts Bamboo-Reinforced earth) Masonry in Earthquake- Prone Areas in India [15]

* Refer to Nepal National Building Code- NBC 101 (http://www.dudbc.gov.np/buildingcode) Building Material Selection and 12 Use: An Environmental Guide

No. Material Types of use [special Environmental costs / benefits Management & Alternatives technical remarks] Issues in material extraction Issues in production / Environmental Potential material Better practices Key Specific Resources treatment / transport / benefits alternatives [References / web links] toxicity C - Wood and Timber C1 Natural forest Roof structure, Unsustainable or inappropriate Processed in timber Can be a renewable Farmed timber, • Sustainable sourcing: Indian Standard for timber beams, columns, forest timber extraction can mills. Poorly managed resource if managed plywood, fiber board, Source timber from forests Common Burnt Clay door and window cause forest destruction, mills cause solid waste well; forest bamboo where it has been logged Building Bricks [2] frames, decks, soil erosion, landslides, pollution, inefficient management for sustainably following approved Guidelines for compressed floor paving, roof land degradation, habitat timber use, and noise and timber production forest management plans (e.g. stabilized earth blocks tiles, wall panels, destruction, and can increase air pollution. can be combined from well managed community [19,21] formwork flood risk. with biodiversity Many types of timber forests, private forests or Guidelines for rammed Transport of logs can damage require treatment for conservation and government forests) ecosystem services earth construction [16,17] forests and rural roads. pest control. Using toxic • To avoid waste: such as landslide chemicals for treatment Where possible do proper causes environmental and prevention and water supplies. structural design for timber health hazards. structures and calculate the timber need accordingly (do not over design / over specify) * Minimize off-cuts * Treat timber susceptible to insect attack for long-term durability; Borates are less harmful than some other products though care should be taken Minimize the use of formwork Ensure storage in covered dry place, with proper stack heights. Allow air circulation and support well to avoid sagging. * • Encourage timber reuse from debris (e.g. door and window frames, roof members) C2 Plantation Roof structure, Monoculture timber plantations Same as above Minimum impact on Plywood, fiber board, Refer to C1 Refer to C1 timber beams, columns, can cause land degradation, natural forests. bamboo door-window frames, habitat and biodiversity loss, and Over-extraction can be decks, floor paving, hydrological problems. controlled. roof tiles, wall panels, Transport of logs can damage formwork adjoining forests and rural roads.

* Refer to Nepal National Building Code- NBC 112 (http://www.dudbc.gov.np/buildingcode) Building Material Selection and 13 Use: An Environmental Guide

No. Material Types of use [special Environmental costs / benefits Management & Alternatives technical remarks] Issues in material extraction Issues in production / Environmental Potential material Better practices Key Specific Resources treatment / transport / benefits alternatives [References / web links] toxicity C3 Plywood/ Wall panels, floor Manufactured using timber- Manufactured in large Minimum impact on Woven bamboo panels • To avoid waste: Refer to C1 laminated panels, formwork, mill by-products or farmed soft factories with energy natural forests. • Use standard sizes (minimize panels, chip partition walls, wood. (see above) intensive processes. Uses timber mill by- off-cuts) board, fiber formwork Chemical binders and products. Encourage reuse in formwork boards treatment chemicals (e.g. Ensure good storage in covered [only suitable for formaldehyde) are used Can be pre-formed dry place, with proper stack temporary use in in manufacturing. Process to efficient sizes and heights. Allow air circulation external work] results in air pollution. thicknesses. and support well to avoid Additional chemical sagging. treatment may be needed. • Treat properly for long-term (see above) durability • Discourage use for firewood • Dispose of safely; avoid unmanaged and unmonitored disposal C4 Bamboo Roof structure, Extracted from natural or farmed Usually used directly Fast growing and • Use only when sustainable Bamboo technology [1,25] (technically a woven wall panels, bamboo groves. Unmanaged without any processing. renewable. Minimum harvesting is possible grass) partitioning, extraction may cause habitat However, bamboo can be impact on natural • Have a harvesting plan formwork props, destruction, river bank erosion processed into high-quality forests, unless forests • Encourage reuse in formwork scaffolding products such as panels are removed to plant • Treat for long-term durability bamboo. and procure value-added [Workability is low] and mats. Some products require energy intensive Supports indigenous products from local industries factory processes. These livelihoods and (use natural seasoning or processes may cause air knowledge. Can be a non-toxic certified treatment and water pollution if not substitute for slower chemicals. Borax or boric acid properly managed. growing timber. treatment is common; though Bamboo stabilizes the should be carried out with earth with its roots, care and training, as both preventing erosion. chemicals have proven health Re-grows from shoots; hazards) no need for replanting. • Ensure storage in a good place, with proper stack heights. Allow air circulation and support well to avoid sagging Building Material Selection and 14 Use: An Environmental Guide

D2 Clay roof tiles Roofing Requires clay. Clay mining Manufactured in wood-fired None Plastic/fiber glass • Minimize use in areas with Environmental, Health causes habitat destruction, kilns, but more controlled roofing sheets, widespread clay mining and Safety guidelines for [provides high level fouling of water bodies, process than brick making. thatching material impacts construction material of thermal comfort] hydrological alteration If not properly managed • Minimize roof area in design extraction [12] kilns can cause severe air Guidelines for pollution. • Encourage reuse from old buildings proportioning Calicut tiled timber roof structures [3] • Store in a dry place in suitable stack heights • Ensure proper package and loading/ unloading when transporting D3 Corrugated Roofing, wall panels Manufacturing process requires Manufactured in large None Clay roof tiles, • Use certified products CGI technical guidelines galvanised large quantities of steel, factories, using energy aluminum sheets, [27,20]z [low thermal • Avoid using in corrosive iron (CGI) zinc and other metals. May intensive processes, often plastic/reinforced comfort, low environments sheets contribute to mining impacts. with carbon emissions from plastic roofing sheets, durability fossil fuel energy sources. thatching material • If used for wall panels, avoid in corrosive Poorly managed factories contact with ground or high environments, cause severe air and water levels of moisture use for wall pollution. Manufacturing panels suitable • Encourage reuse of un- process may release toxic only in temporary corroded sheets from old heavy metals. installations] buildings • Store in a dry place in suitable stack heights • Never dispose in a natural environment and encourage recycling • Esnure CGI sheet production factories adhere to Environmental Acts National Environmental (Protection and Quality) Regulations Building Material Selection and 15 Use: An Environmental Guide

No. Material Types of use [special Environmental costs / benefits Management & Alternatives technical remarks] Issues in material extraction Issues in production / Environmental Potential material Better practices Key Specific Resources treatment / transport / benefits alternatives [References / web links] toxicity D4 Thatching Roofing Harvested from natural or Processed in household No requirement for • Only use thatching material A guide to good thatching material [low durability, farmed vegetation: palm or small-scale industries. quarried material or that can be obtained locally practice - South Africa [7] leaves, reed, grasses. May have Material needs to be clay. without environmental only usable in impacts on forests and natural seasoned. May cause water No firewood or energy damage certain types of roof vegetation if not properly pollution if not properly requirement. designs] • Support local livelihoods and managed. managed. Can support industries indigenous livelihoods and knowledge, • Use local knowledge where and be part of possible sound grassland • Treat for long-term durability management, reducing the need for grass fires. D5 Aluminium Roofing, wall panels Manufacturing process requires Manufactured in large None Plastic / fiber • Use certified products - Nepal A guide to good thatching sheets large quantities of aluminium factories using energy reinforced plastic National Building Code NBC practice - South Africa [7] [use for wall and other metals. May intensive processes, often roofing sheets, 101 : 1994 panels suitable contribute to mining impacts. with carbon emissions from clay tiles, thatching only in temporary • If used for wall panels, avoid fossil fuel energy sources. material installations] contact with ground or high Poorly managed factories levels of moisture cause severe air and water pollution. May release toxic • Encourage reuse of sheets heavy metals. from old buildings • Store in a dry place in suitable stack heights • Never dispose in a natural environment and encourage recycling D6 Plastic / fiber Roofing, wall panels Manufactured in medium/ Less environmental Thatching material • Use certified products if Plastic Sheeting: A guide reinforced [use for wall large factories. Some damage if natural possible to the specification and plastic roofing panels suitable harmful organic compounds fibers and safe • Where possible support local use of plastic sheeting in sheets only in temporary and fibers with health petroleum by- industries that are following humanitarian relief [14] installations] hazards may be used in products are used in environmentally safe Reuse, recycle and reinforced plastic sheets. manufacturing. processes disposal of emergency Manufacturing process plastic sheets [10] may cause water and air • Encourage the use of pollution if not properly natural fibers (e.g. coir) in managed. fiber reinforced plastic sheets • Store in a dry place in suitable stack heights • Never dispose in a natural environment Building Material Selection and 16 Use: An Environmental Guide

E3 Lime mortar / Plastering, filler, paint Manufactured using limestone Requires kilning to produce None Cement mortar, • Do not use lime made from Technical guidelines on lime putty or coral. Coral extraction usable non-hydraulic or chemical fillers coral or illegally mined stone quarrying [8, 18] causes serious environmental hydraulic lime. Kilning limestone damage. Mining small outcrops process (especially small • Minimize the use of lime from of limestone may also have scale) causes air pollution. small-scale producers with significant environmental wood-fired kilns impacts. • Use only in plaster (not mortar) • Mix only in required amounts to minimize waste • Store in a dry place in proper stack heights • Never dispose of hardened lime in a natural environment E4 Chemical fillers Filler Requires mined and quarried Manufactured in large Can reduce the demand • Use certified products material. See quarried rock for factories. Can cause air for lime produced in • Finish the walls smoothly impacts. and water pollution if not harmful small-scale before application and apply properly managed. industries. in optimum thicknesses (do not over-specify) • Mix only in required amounts to minimize waste • Store the containers properly closed (air tight) in safe places • Never dispose of hardened filler or the containers in a natural environment • Follow Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines when working with chemical fillers Building Material Selection and 17 Use: An Environmental Guide

E7 Termite Chemical treatment Requires a variety of chemicals. Produced in large factory. None Use of ground • Use only if absolutely necessary treatment to eradicate termites Production process may electrocution; • Only use certified products chemicals (applied to soil release heavy metals and integrated pest (refer to additional resources around the perimeter toxic organic compounds to management for certified products) and the sub-floor of a the environment. Industrial • Treat as hazardous waste in building) accidents may cause serious disposal hazards to people and • Only use in specified dosages environment. • Store chemical containers in a safe location • Treat as an “extremely hazardous” waste in disposal Building Material Selection and 18 Use: An Environmental Guide

E9 Tarpaulin Shelter material Tarpaulin sheet comprises of Emission of greenhouse None Waterproof canvas, • To avoid waste: Plastic Sheeting: A guide sheets and wall panels layered sheets that sandwich gases during production. thatching material Properly tie and join the sheets to the specification and (in temporary a polyester woven fabric base Untreated wastes from to avoid tearing use of plastic sheeting in structures), weather between plastic films. Crude oil factories contain toxic Use the whole sheet, do not humanitarian relief [14] proofing building sites is the main raw material used for chemicals and cause water cut Reuse, recycle and disposal production. pollution. Store in covered dry place, of emergency plastic sheets away from fire hazards [10] • Reuse old tarpaulin sheets • Recycle where possible; since tarpaulin is a non- biodegradable material, special care should be taken when disposing – in well managed landfill sites if possible Building Material Selection and 19 Use: An Environmental Guide References

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Kathmandu: Center for Public of India. www.portal.gsi.gov.in/gsiDoc/pub/riverbed_mining_guidelines.pdf Health and Environmental Development. www.cephed.org.np/pdf/31420818225.pdf 11. Global Shelter Cluster. 2010. Reuse, recycle and disposal of emergency plastic sheets. Geneva: 26. Salam K. and Pongen Z. 2008. Hand Book on Bamboo. Guwahati, India: Cane and Bamboo Global Shelter Cluster. www.sheltercentre.org/.../reuse-recycle-and-disposal-emergency-plastic Technology Centre. 12. Government of India, Ministry of Railways. 2007. Comprehensive Guide on Painting for 27. Shelter Cluster. 2010. Selection and Safe Use of Chemical Wood Protection. Geneva: Global Buildings. India: Centre for Advanced Maintenance Technology. Shelter Cluster. www.sheltercluster.org 13. Grégoire G. 2007. Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines for Construction Materials 28. Shelter Cluster Nepal. 2015. Technical and Implementation Modalities Guidance Document Extraction. International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group. http://www.ifc.org/wps/ Annex: Corrugated Galvanised Iron (CGI) Specifications for Roofing. Kathmandu: Shelter Cluster wcm/connect/a99ab8804365b27aa60fb6d3e9bda932/EHS-Guidelines+101-Webinar. Nepal. https://www.sheltercluster.org/sites/default/files/docs/cgi_specification_150708.pdf pdf?MOD=AJPERES 29. WWF. 2006. Keep It Legal: Best Practices for Keeping Illegally Harvested Timber out of Your 14. IFRC, UN/OCHA, CARE. 2009. A Guide to the Planning, Use, Procurement and Logistics of Supply Chain. Washington D.C: WWF. assets.panda.org/downloads/keep_it_legal_final_ Timber as a Construction Material in Humanitarian Relief. Geneva: IFRC. http://www.ifrc. no_fsc.pdf org/PageFiles/95530/D.03.c.01.%20Timber%20Guidelines-EN.pdf 30. https://www.unido.org/fileadmin/user_media/Publications/Pub_free/Environment_ 15. International Federation of Red Cross. 2007. Plastic Sheeting; A guide to the specification friendly_Indian_building_material_technologies_for_cost_effective_housing.pdf

Hariyo Ban Program Building Material Selection and Use An Environmental Guide

WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program PO Box: 7660, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal T: +977 1 4434820, | F: +977 1 4438458 [email protected], www.wwfnepal.org/hariyobanprogram