Environmental Impact of Biomaterials and Biomass

This report reviews how biomaterials and biomass have been assessed within The Green Guide to Specification, including the application of the Environmental Profiles methodology, which underlies data. The way in which biomaterials and biomass are addressed within building-level environmental assessment schemes such as BREEAM and the Code for Sustainable Homes is also explained. The report will give manufacturers and specifiers a general understanding of the significant benefits and impacts of biomaterials and biomass over their whole life cycle and help to identify opportunities for improvements to their environmental performance. It is part of a series that provides comparable information on windows, masonry and concrete, metals, floor finishes, cladding and insulation to assess the environmental impact of specific construction materials.

1. Introduction 2. Solid Timber 3. Wood-based Panels and Products4. Plant Fibre and Cellulose5. Animal Fibre 6.Biomass Energy7. Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Profiles and The Green Guide8. Applying the Updated Environmental Profiles Methodology to Biomaterials and Biomass9. Functional Units10. Treatment of Service Life and Durability11. Modelling/Allocation12. Treatment of Recycled and Reclaimed Inputs13. Waste Disposal Scenarios14. Treatment of Landfill at End of Life15. Treatment of Recycling at End of Life16. Carbon Sequestration17. Transport in the Supply Chain18. Key Impacts and Opportunities for the Biomaterials and Biomass Sector 19.Where More Data are Required

BRE, UK