Construction is heavy and carbon intensive

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The construction industry is responsible for approximately 37% of global carbon emissions [1]. Materials such as brick, concrete, and aluminum used in tiles and claddings have high carbon footprints due to their energy-intensive manufacturing processes [2]. For instance, tile installations have one of the highest embodied carbon contents among building materials [2]. Cement production alone accounts for about 8% of global CO2 emissions [3]. The construction process itself consumes a large amount of energy, from the extraction of raw materials to the transportation and assembly of building components [4].

Embodied carbon emissions occur upfront, meaning they contribute to atmospheric CO2 levels immediately upon construction. Reducing these emissions is essential for meeting global climate targets [5]. Embodied carbon can account for a significant portion of a building's total carbon footprint over its lifecycle. Addressing these emissions can lead to substantial long-term reductions [5]. Increasingly stringent regulations and standards are being implemented globally to reduce carbon emissions in the construction sector. Reducing embodied carbon helps in complying with these regulations [6]. There is a growing demand for sustainable buildings from consumers and investors. Reducing embodied carbon can enhance the marketability and value of buildings [6].

Implementing carbon net-zero or carbon net-negative tiles can have profound effects on sustainability and carbon emissions. Carbon net-zero cladding ensures that the carbon emissions associated with its production and installation are balanced by carbon offsets or sequestration. Carbon net-negative tiles go a step further by removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits [7]. Buildings with sustainable tile installations may qualify for incentives, grants, and tax benefits. They are also more likely to comply with future regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of obsolescence [8].

The construction industry must play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change. Achieving carbon net-zero or net-negative status for tiles and claddings is a critical step towards this goal [9]. Reducing the carbon footprint of tiles and claddings aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 13 (Climate Action) and Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) [9]. Sustainable materials can lead to long-term cost savings through reduced energy consumption and maintenance costs and often have lower levels of harmful pollutants, contributing to healthier indoor environments [10]. Companies in the construction industry are increasingly being held accountable for their environmental impact. Adopting carbon net-zero or net-negative installations demonstrates a commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability [10].

Sustainability in the construction industry, particularly in the context of tiles and claddings, is essential for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change. The industry's high carbon footprint necessitates urgent action to reduce embodied carbon and implement carbon net-zero or carbon net-negative solutions. By doing so, the construction industry can significantly contribute to global sustainability goals, enhance building performance, and create a healthier and more resilient built environment.

[1]: Persefoni. (2025). Construction Carbon Footprint: Emissions Profile Insights

[2]: GreenBuildingAdvisor. (2022). Recent Studies on Embodied Carbon.

[3]: UNEP. (2023). Building Materials And The Climate: Constructing A New Future.

[4]: Persefoni. (2025). Construction Carbon Footprint: Emissions Profile Insights.

[5]: UNEP. (2022). CO2 emissions from buildings and construction hit new high.

[6]: UNEP. (2023). Building Materials And The Climate: Constructing A New Future.

[7]: Climate Impact Partners. (2024). What's the Difference Between Net Zero and Carbon Neutral?

[8]: World Economic Forum. (2022). The risks and benefits for companies going net zero.

[9]: Eco-Business. (2024). Explainer: Why some countries are aiming for ‘net-negative’ emissions.

[10]: The Conversation. (2021). Net-zero, carbon-neutral, carbon-negative … confused by all the carbon jargon?

The issue of organic waste in U.S. landfills is becoming increasingly critical as these sites approach their capacity limits. Organic waste, which includes food scraps, yard trimmings, and other biodegradable materials, constitutes a significant portion of municipal solid waste. When deposited in landfills, this waste decomposes anaerobically, producing methane—a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) that significantly contributes to climate change [1]. This report examines the saturation of landfill capacities, the environmental impact of methane emissions from organic waste, and the urgent need for pre-landfill processing of organic waste. Additionally, it highlights how converting organic waste to biochar aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Landfills in the United States are rapidly reaching their capacity. According to recent data, the total landfill capacity is projected to decrease by more than 15% over the next five years [2]. This saturation not only limits the space available for future waste but also exacerbates environmental issues. Organic waste in landfills is a major source of methane emissions, accounting for approximately 14.4% of human-related methane emissions in the U.S. [3]. Methane is at least 28 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period [3]. Therefore, reducing the amount of organic waste that ends up in landfills is crucial for mitigating climate change.

Processing organic waste before it reaches landfills is essential. This approach not only reduces the volume of waste but also minimizes methane emissions. Effective management of organic waste can significantly contribute to achieving several of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

· SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production - Target 12.3 aims to halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels by 2030 [4].

· SDG 13: Climate Action - Reducing methane emissions from landfills directly supports efforts to combat climate change [4].

· SDG 15: Life on Land - Sustainable management of organic waste helps preserve ecosystems and biodiversity [4].

One innovative solution for managing organic waste is its conversion to biochar. Biochar is a carbon-rich compound produced through pyrolysis, a process that involves heating organic material in the absence of oxygen [5]. This method offers several benefits:

· Carbon Sequestration: Biochar effectively sequesters carbon, reducing the overall carbon footprint [5].

· Soil Enhancement: When applied to soil, biochar improves water retention, nutrient availability, and microbial activity, enhancing soil health and agricultural productivity [5].

· Waste Reduction: Converting organic waste to biochar reduces the volume of waste that needs to be landfilled, thereby alleviating pressure on landfill capacities [5].

Addressing the issue of organic waste in U.S. landfills is imperative for environmental sustainability. By processing organic waste before it reaches landfills and converting it to biochar, we can significantly reduce methane emissions, enhance soil health, and contribute to the achievement of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. This approach not only mitigates the adverse environmental impacts of landfills but also promotes a circular economy, turning waste into valuable resources.

[1]: Quantifying Methane Emissions from Landfilled Food Waste 

[2]: Time is Running Out: The U.S. Landfill Capacity Crisis 

[3]: Basic Information about Landfill Gas 

[4]: SDG Library - Organic waste management Module 

[5]: From Wood Waste to Biochar: The Complete Process Explained

 The issue of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in the United States has reached a critical juncture. Landfills across the country are nearing their capacity limits, creating an urgent need for alternative waste management strategies. According to recent data, the total landfill capacity in the U.S. is projected to decrease by more than 15% over the next five years, with some regions facing even more severe shortages [1]. This saturation not only poses logistical challenges but also exacerbates environmental concerns, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as methane.

Methane emissions from MSW landfills are a significant environmental issue. Landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States, accounting for approximately 14.4% of these emissions in 2022 [2]. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, at least 28 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year period [2]. The decomposition of organic material in landfills under anaerobic conditions is the primary source of these emissions. This underscores the necessity of processing MSW before it reaches landfills to mitigate its environmental impact.

Processing MSW before it reaches landfills aligns with several of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[3] Specifically, it supports 

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities)

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production)

Goal 13: Climate Action

By reducing the volume of waste that ends up in landfills and minimizing methane emissions, these efforts contribute to creating more sustainable urban environments, promoting responsible waste management practices, and combating climate change.

One promising solution for managing organic waste is the conversion of this waste into biochar. Biochar is a carbon-rich compound produced through the pyrolysis of organic material in a low-oxygen environment [4]. This process not only reduces the volume of waste but also transforms it into a valuable product that can enhance soil health and sequester carbon. The production of biochar from organic waste offers several environmental benefits. It stabilizes carbon that would otherwise be released as CO2 or methane, thus reducing GHG emissions [4]. Additionally, biochar improves soil fertility by increasing its ability to retain water and nutrients, which can enhance agricultural productivity [5].

In conclusion, addressing the saturation of landfills and the associated methane emissions requires innovative waste management strategies. The conversion of organic waste into biochar presents a viable solution that aligns with the UN's sustainability goals. By processing MSW before it reaches landfills, we can mitigate environmental impacts, promote sustainable urban development, and contribute to global climate action.

[1]: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2024). Project and Landfill Data by State. Retrieved from EPA [2]: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2024). Basic Information about Landfill Gas. Retrieved from EPA 

[3]: United Nations. (2015). Sustainable Development Goals. Retrieved from UN SDGs 

[4]: Golisano Institute for Sustainability. (2021). What is biochar and how is it made? Retrieved from RIT

[5]: GeekWire. (2025). Qualterra raises $4.5M to turn organic waste into carbon-trapping biochar. Retrieved from GeekWire

Aquatic planktons such as sargassum and seaweed have become a significant environmental and economic issue for the island nations. These planktons wash ashore in large quantities, emitting foul smells and causing health problems due to the release of gases like hydrogen sulfide. This phenomenon deters tourists, impacting the local economy heavily reliant on tourism. Additionally, when these planktons remain in open air or end up in landfills, they emit greenhouse gases (GHG) such as methane, contributing to climate change. Processing these washed-up planktons before they reach landfills is crucial for mitigating these impacts and advancing the United Nations' sustainability goals.

Since 2011, vast mats of sargassum have been washing up on Caribbean beaches, creating a dead and stinky mass that poses health risks and economic challenges. The Caribbean islands have incurred significant costs to manage this issue. For instance, the clean-up costs for sargassum in 2018 were estimated at US$120 million [6]. In the Virgin Islands, the removal of dense sargassum blooms costs approximately $25,000 per day [7]. These figures highlight the urgent need for effective management strategies to address the sargassum invasion.

The rotting sargassum emits hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs and can cause respiratory issues and other health problems for residents and tourists [2]. Moreover, the decomposition of these planktons in landfills releases methane, a potent GHG that exacerbates climate change [1]. Therefore, it is imperative to find sustainable solutions to manage these aquatic planktons.

UN Sustainability Goals

Processing aquatic planktons aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

1. SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being): Reduces health risks associated with rotting planktons.

2. SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation): Prevents contamination of coastal waters.

3. SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): Biochar production can generate renewable energy.

4. SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Promotes innovative waste management solutions.

5. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Enhances the sustainability of coastal communities.

6. SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Encourages the transformation of waste into valuable resources.

7. SDG 13 (Climate Action): Mitigates climate change by reducing methane emissions.

8. SDG 15 (Life on Land): Supports biodiversity and land restoration [4].

Conversion to Biochar

Converting aquatic planktons to biochar offers a sustainable solution for their disposal. Biochar is a carbon-rich compound produced through pyrolysis, which involves heating organic material in the absence of oxygen. This process not only prevents the release of methane but also produces a valuable material that can be used for soil amendment, water filtration, and carbon sequestration [3]. Biochar's porous structure allows it to adsorb pollutants, making it an effective tool for environmental remediation [5]. Additionally, biochar production can generate syngas, which can be converted into renewable energy, further contributing to sustainability goals [4].

The issue of aquatic planktons washing ashore in the Caribbean is a multifaceted problem that impacts health, the environment, and the economy. Processing these planktons before they reach landfills is essential for mitigating their negative effects and advancing UN sustainability goals. Converting aquatic planktons to biochar provides a sustainable and effective solution, transforming waste into a valuable resource while reducing GHG emissions and supporting environmental remediation.

[1]: Sargassum is choking the Caribbean’s white sand beaches, fueling an economic and public health crisis 

[2]: Sargassum Toxicity: Here's what you need to know 

[3]: Aquatic plant biomass-derived porous carbon: biomaterials for sustainable waste management and climate change mitigation 

[4]: Biochar: Advancing UN Sustainable Development Goals 

[5]: Biochar applications in microplastic and nanoplastic removal 

[6]: Sargassum Clean-up Costs Caribbean US$120 Million – Bartlett 

[7]: Sargassum Blooms Cost $25,000 a Day to Remove From Territory's Shorelines, DPNR Says as Problem Grows in USVI