Abstract

Concrete continuous dominance as the building material of preference is as a result of its strength, durability, versatility and sustainability. But the large consumption of this material has put a danger on its sustainability as a large amount of natural resources are consumed annually. In addition, the production of concrete and its components is very energy intensive and contribute a large amount of carbon dioxide emission into the environment. As rapid urbanization is happening all over the world coupled with the increase in population, it is expected that the higher demand and production of concrete will ensue. Further increase in the production of concrete will lead to a consequential consumption of more resources and contamination of the environment. In order to ensure that the sustainable integrity of concrete is regained while meeting the continuous demand of concrete, it is critical to find ways in which the factors that pose a sustainability threat to this unique material can be eradicated. This paper explores the major sustainability issues related to concrete and some possible solutions to how these issues can be resolved. It was concluded that a more sustainable concrete can be produced in the future by finding alternatives to the current components of concrete and the introduction of greener technology for the construction process