The coarse sand needed for making concrete is being excavated at a rate faster than it can renew itself. Illegal sand mining has also become a serious problem in countries such as India where criminal gangs illegally strip coarse sand from riverbeds and beaches, damaging delicate ecosystems. That’s why it’s welcome news that a team of scientists has developed a new biodegradable construction material that uses widely available ‘desert’ sand. The team hopes their material will not only reduce environmentally damaging sand mining, but will also decrease the carbon footprint of the construction industry.
Scientists have developed a sustainable alternative to concrete
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