Assessing the pros and cons of alternative materials

The demand for materials for our industries is immense. And yet, conventional materials like plastic, concrete, and metals have equally immense environmental impacts, from the extraction phase to the end of their life cycle.

In this context, alternative materials offer promising solutions, typically due to their lower environmental impact. Yet, they come with their own set of challenges that must be navigated.

Let’s examine the pros and cons of alternative materials together.

Pros of alternative materials

Reduced environmental impact

Alternative materials offer the benefit of being relatively less harmful to our environment. For example, a study from the University of Jaén (Spain) compared the environmental impact of traditional bricks and bricks made with a mixture of clay and organic waste. It shows that the environmental impact of traditional materials is higher due to greater resource extraction, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Alternative materials, ideally, also put the focus on renewable sources and responsible practices to conserve resources. A not-so-fun fact: in 1900, 41% of the materials used in the United States were renewable, but by 1995, only 6% of the materials consumed were renewable. Most of the materials now consumed in the United States are nonrenewable. It is still possible to reverse this practice with alternative materials.

Long-term economic benefits

Alternative materials can be cost-effective in the long run for several reasons. Consider packaging made from agricultural food waste or abundant seaweed as an example. This category of packaging typically biodegrades and potentially saves the financial cost of waste disposal.

Such packaging can also align with consumer preferences for sustainable products, potentially enhancing a company's brand image and market competitiveness.

Performance benefits

Of course, any material replacing one that has been used for a long time must offer similar or superior performance benefits. This ensures that the transition to alternative materials is not only economically viable but also maintains or enhances the functionality of the end product.

Construction: Hempcrete, made from the inner woody fibers of the hemp plant mixed with lime and water, offers excellent insulation properties. It is used in construction for walls and roofs, providing natural temperature regulation and soundproofing that compare favorably to conventional concrete.
Also, bamboo is a natural material that’s quite durable. It's used in construction for flooring, scaffolding, and even as a building material for houses. Bamboo's natural strength and rapid growth make it a sustainable and durable alternative to traditional wood.
Textile: Fabrics made from alternative materials like recycled plastic bottles or organic cotton often have comparable quality and performance to traditional textiles. Common examples include Arsenal and Real Madrid, which use recycled plastic bottles for their products.

Cotton cultivated organically can be a substitute for conventional cotton (Photo by Jacinto Diego on Unsplash)

Cons of alternative materials

Technical and logistical issues

One of the main challenges in manufacturing alternative materials is that they often require new or specialized manufacturing processes. For example, the shift from traditional paper production to the creation of recycled paper products involves adapting paper mills to handle recycling and de-inking processes.

Another challenge is sourcing the raw materials needed to produce alternative materials. Take the case of using reclaimed wood for furniture manufacturing. Sourcing consistent and high-quality reclaimed wood can be difficult, as it involves repurposing old structures or furniture. Ensuring the wood is free from contaminants and meets the desired specifications may require meticulous sourcing and processing.

Short-term economic concerns

Transitioning to alternative materials often involves significant initial costs. These may encompass research and development, retooling of manufacturing processes, and procurement of new materials. Alternative materials that can displace traditional materials require extensive research and development, which are often capital-intensive.

This is only natural progress - plastic, for example, wasn’t so cheap to produce at the beginning. It took 30-40 years for plastic to go from invention in 1907 by Leo Baekeland to widespread mass production by the mid-20th century.

Regulatory and policy challenges

While there are policies and programs like the BioPreferred Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that aim to promote the use of bio-based and sustainable materials, more still needs to be done. This includes expanding and strengthening existing initiatives, as well as developing new policies that address the specific challenges posed by alternative materials.

FAQs

1. What are some examples of alternative materials?

Some examples of alternative materials include:

Hempcrete: Made from hemp fibers, lightweight, has good insulation properties, and is biodegradable. It is used in sustainable building construction for walls and insulation.
Bamboo: It is a rapidly growing plant with high strength and natural durability. It is commonly used in flooring, scaffolding, furniture, and textile.
Bioplastics: Made from renewable resources, biodegradable or compostable, and can reduce environmental impact. They are commonly used in food packaging, single-use utensils, and agricultural films.
Mycelium materials: Grown from fungi, biodegradable, and possess natural fire resistance. They are used in sustainable packaging, building materials, and textiles.

2. Why are alternative materials important for sustainable development?

Alternative materials are important for sustainable development because they reduce the dependence on finite resources, minimize environmental impacts, and contribute to long-term ecological and economic resilience.

Our societies and economies are built on materials, and if we fail to transition toward more sustainable alternatives, we risk depleting our finite resources and exacerbating environmental degradation.

3. What industries are leading in the adoption of alternative materials?

Alternative materials are gaining more traction in recent times. Some of the industries leading the charge are:

Packaging: Replacing single-use plastics with biodegradable and recycled materials to minimize environmental impact.
Construction: Adopting bamboo, hempcrete, and recycled plastics for eco-friendly and energy-efficient buildings.
Fashion: Shifting from conventional textiles to sustainable options like organic cotton, hemp, and recycled fabrics to reduce the fashion industry's environmental footprint and promote ethical and eco-conscious clothing production.