Environmentally Friendly Construction With Temporary Roadways And Outdoor Flooring

By Author: Virgil Campbell
Total Articles: 11
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With World Environment Day just gone, there have been many inspiring stories about how small groups of individuals are striving to make changes in the world. In the construction industry there often isn’t time to think about the environment, but it should be a consideration. After all, being green can save money.

One way of reducing the environmental impact of a construction site is to use temporary, portable roadways. Heavy plant machinery and vehicles take their toll on the ground they drive on, tearing up grass and plant life, and eating into the dirt. Not only does this reduce bio-diversity, but it can damage buildings and archaeological material. Road mats help to spread the weight of vehicles and prevent this kind of damage.

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) road mats can also be greener than metal or wooden alternatives. This is partly because of their weight. HDPE mats are far lighter than metal ones, which means they are cheaper to transport, using less fuel and thus producing less carbon dioxide. They are also more portable and easier to install. They are also long lasting and less likely to end up in ...
... land fill. Whereas metal and wooden mats can be damaged by the weather, HDPE is chemically inert. It is resistant to acids, alkalis and solvents, and does not absorb water. It is virtually indestructible; some road mats have been shown to support up to 150 tons.

Another advantage of HDPE is that it is recyclable. With the high cost of natural resources such as metals, recycled plastic can be a cost effective alternative. Metals are a finite resource, can be damaging to mine and energy-intensive to manufacture. It is also more attractive to thieves. While wood might be the best material from a sustainability point of view, it absorbs water and decays easily in damp environments. It is simply not up to the task.

Of course, construction isn’t the only environment where ground protection systems are useful. Temporary flooring for outdoor events can protect the ground from the huge numbers of cars and people on site.

Zigma® Ground Solutions specialise in ground protection systems for construction and events. Their TuffTrak® road mats are an environmentally friendly and cost effective solution to prevent damage to a site and keep it clean and tidy. Look into hiring or buying some today!
Read more about TuffTrak® here.