Advantages and disadvantages of green architecture and recycling

Green architecture is understood to be a means by which conservation of natural resources is made by the preservation of fuel resources, properly discarding pollutants and using other means of attaining energy, i.e. solar: all such means have been reported to have reduced the detrimental effects of urbanisation.

Goals of green architecture

Owing to the fact that every certain outcome has its consequences, the problem of green architecture is a complex one indeed, but due to the increase in eco-awareness over the recent years, green architecture has certainly become a popular trend. Architecture means the building of new things and thus, architects perform this task, but in the case of green architects their job is a little bit more advanced as they have to cater to some aspects.

• Material efficiency
• Renewable energy initiations
• Management of non-renewable reserves
• Reduce threats to biodiversity 

A green architect or a group of green architects can achieve these goals legally but it can present certain economical elements that can be against their line of work, since green architecture isn’t an official profession, or rather, just a sub variety of the architecture niche. Green architects can simply accomplish these goals by incorporating them into architectural and construction structures:  

• Whenever a new project is assigned to a particular site which already possesses old infrastructure, green architects can use this opportunity to employ renewable and environmental friendly products for better efficiency, which is obtained by recycling and reusing the present materials and infrastructure with a little modification in order to expand durability as well as reduce the chances of waste buildup. This is achieved by the use of low volatile organic compounds in building materials. So far, using such means has produced desirable results. 

• The next goal, which is very important, is energy efficiency, which includes reducing energy needs of structures. This involves installing ventilation system for cooling in summer and heating in winter, which is not only convenient but also cost-effective. Electrical sustainability of the building motors is acquired by placing copper operated motors. The use of passive solar building designs is also very effective, such as the use of zero emission materials. 

• Another goal of green architecture is the use of compost toilets in the construction projects, which is an accepted and feasible design because new techniques of management include the incorporation of municipal excreta where the sewage system is absent. For this, environmentalists have presented a simple case of using the organic waste for gardening purposes. These means have been used so far in many countries in Europe and Asia and have produced reasonable results (as long as some conditions are met).

Installing solar panels, small wind turbines on the roof and lateral walls of the structures, and planting coniferous trees and deciduous plants also serves the purpose of green architecture as they can utilise the extra raw energy of the environment.

Advantages of green architecture and recycling

Green architecture has numerous advantages as it can help to reduce pollution and produce a sustainable environment that is healthy and durable. Green architecture can help to decrease the use of natural resources and fuels. It can also help to increase water, material efficiency, as well as improve maintenance of the structures from environmental elements. Green architecture can help to improve air quality within, and outside, the structures. The people living within such structures can have many economical as well as financial benefits, including saving on electricity bills as one can easily make their own electricity using green architectural equipments such as solar generated water pumps and air conditioners. Such residents can also hope for high property value if they ever plan on selling, as well as having additional tax benefits. 

Green structures in office environments can also help to increase proficiency of workers by providing them with full time air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter, using energy renewable techniques. Proper lighting and temperature variances can also be controlled using such means.

Disadvantages of green architecture and recycling

Green architecture may be a dream come true for most ecologists and environmentalists but it also presents hindrance in the industrial world. This is a very difficult task, as it requires expenditure of many resources and investments. This is also one of the major problems that green architects have to face in order to fulfill the goal of reducing impacts of constructions, which can only take place by the help of deforestation that has caused notable Ozone Depletion. Immense deforestation and human violations into various ecosystems, like the development of roads in the Amazon Rainforest, has caused environmental disruptions and has significantly increased the risks of endangering biodiversity. On top of that, building green structures also costs more as special equipment has to be bought and maintained, because of which people are not yet drawn to this system.

Author bio: Paul is a freelance writer living in Fresno, CA. He is into blogging, reading and entrepreneurship.