The Future of Sustainable Materials: Hempcrete and the Fight Against Plastic Pollution

Watch Episode 1 of the Life Research Institute's video capsule, as it casts the spotlight on an innovative and sustainable building material: hempcrete. As the world grapples with the environmental challenges posed by plastic pollution, solutions like hempcrete offer a glimmer of hope.

Dr. Miroslava Kavgic, an associate professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, shares her insights on the subject. Her research focuses on various aspects of buildings, the technologies they incorporate, and the systems they contain. One of her most exciting findings revolves around hempcrete, which is a material "made of hemp and some binders. The idea is to create sustainable but also consistent material."

Dr. Kavgic's team is at the forefront of this research, developing different formulas and investigating the differences between hemp origins. Their goal? To come up with a plastic substitute formulation that is the least damaging for the environment. It has the lowest carbon footprint and reduces the amount of carbon within the materials.

But why is this research so crucial?

The answer lies in the devastating effects of plastic pollution. Dr. Kavgic sheds light on the gravity of the situation:

Plastic, as you know, is one of the biggest concerns that negatively impact our environments and habitats across the world, everywhere, and ecosystems as well.

She goes on to highlight the broader implications of plastic pollution, noting that it deteriorates our habitats and also can even reduce the possibility of habitat to adapt to climate change. The staggering fact that only 9% is successfully recycled underscores the urgency of the issue.

So, what can we do to combat this crisis? 

Dr. Kavgic suggests several actionable steps such as:

• Avoiding single-use plastic, and also buying more bulk food and fewer packaged groceries.
• Making recycling more accessible and easier is another step in the right direction.
• Developing sustainable materials, such as hempcrete, to replace plastic products and construction materials.

Hemp is not only lightweight but also versatile. It can be applied in many different industries and in applications such as utilizing aerospace to reduce the weight of large structures and also manufacture products.

The potential of plants to create plastic and other construction materials is a testament to the innovative solutions that lie ahead in the realm of sustainable building and environmental conservation. As we continue to search for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and combat plastic pollution, embracing materials like hempcrete could pave the way for a greener future.

If you're as inspired by this discussion as we are, be sure to check out the full video on the Life Research Institute's YouTube channel. And remember, every step we take towards sustainability counts.