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Green Building

Construction sector biggest greenhouse gas contributor

14th June 2019 Building construction and operations account for 36% of final energy use and nearly 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions globally, making the sector the largest energy user and producer of greenhouse gasses, says Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) CEO Dorah Modise. →

New green building certification introduced in South Africa

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 14th June 2019 Green building consulting company Solid Green Consulting is the first company to be working on an actual Living Building Challenge project in South Africa. The programme was developed by nongovernmental organisation International Living Future Institute (ILFI), to lead transformation towards a... →

MARLOES REININK The Living Building Challenge is possibly the most rigorous green building certification programme and sustainable design framework globally

Energy-saving LEDs illuminate hospital

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 14th June 2019 High energy savings and a good colour rendering were achieved by replacing the high-pressure sodium installation with light-emitting-diode (LED) floodlights at the Tygerberg Hospital, in Cape Town, says lighting manufacturer BEKA Schréder sales engineer Grant Kemp. “High masts were installed... →

Health club receives net zero waste rating

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 14th June 2019 Through rigorous waste reduction, separation and recycling on site, and the assistance of net zero-accredited professionals Ecolution Consulting, Health Club Virgin Active Constantia, in Cape Town, achieved a Net Zero Waste certification from the Green Building Council of South Africa.... →

Photo by Julian Goldswain
NOTHING GOES TO WASTE Currently 93% of the gym’s waste is being diverted – an amount that was possible through an initial waste audit calculation

Green light for ‘net zero’

By: Mc'Kyla Nortje 14th June 2019 Following then Energy Minister Jeff Radebe’s announcement paving the way for small projects generating between 1 MW and 10 MW of their own renewable electricity to feed it back into the grid, green building consultants ecocentric see this as a crucial opportunity for companies to accelerate... →

RATINGS The GBCSA Rosebank office received a 4-Star Interiors Rating based on the assessment of the environmental attributes of the building’s interior fit-outs

Building and construction applications get a coatings sustainability boost

14th June 2019 Multinational speciality chemicals producer Clariant aims to contribute more sustainability and safety solutions to meet the building and construction industry’s challenges, says Clariant flame retardants segment coating manager Achim Hennemann. Clariant offers pigment paste producers and... →

AFTER FIRE TEST Strong intumescent formation with clear coat based on Exolit 855 after fire test

Entrenched player furthers green building

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 15th June 2018 Leading construction materials company AfriSam believes that it is important for all industry roleplayers to play an active role in furthering green sustainability initiatives in the built environment, and the company is pursuing this through partnerships and relationships with stakeholders, says... →

EVERGREEN AfriSam has sponsored a number of awards to recognise notable achievements and work in sustainable building

Green awareness facilitates product uptake

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 15th June 2018 There has been an increase in the number of green projects in the country, which is an indication that South Africans are becoming more conscious of sustainability for the future, says sealant technology provider Den Braven Sealants national sales and marketing manager Michael Berg. He posits... →

MICHAEL BERG Den Braven believes in providing the best solutions and products that contribute to a healthier and greener environment

Rescue Rod

15th June 2018 Trenchless specialist Rescue Rod has been involved in providing pipeline services and waste management in various ways since 1990. The company has more than 25 years of experience in the industry and offers some of the most technologically advanced industrial sewer cleaning and pipeline... →

Sustainable construction championed for building industry

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 15th June 2018 Sustainable construction should be pursued instead of green building, and using concrete can help achieve this, as it is quite a sustainable material, advances technical services provider for concrete The Concrete Institute (TCI) MD Bryan Perrie. TCI is well poised and equipped to promote this,... →

Photo by Bloomberg
VERSATILE Concrete is a sustainable material, with design flexibility, as it can be constructed into any shape, design and finish

Green building requires holistic approach

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 15th June 2018 With the current water shortage in the Western Cape having encouraged efficient water use and proactive ways of saving water, building industry representative the Joint Building Contacts Committee (JBCC) CEO Uwe Putlitz says a similar attitude should be pursued regarding green building in the... →

COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING Green building should not be regarded as a separate entity from the rest of a building project but rather as an integral part of the entire project

Proposed amendment to legislation set to eliminate lead in paint

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 15th June 2018 Paint industry representative the South African Paint Manufacturing Association (Sapma) has achieved a “great victory”, with the announcement last month of the government notice of intention to amend the Hazardous Substance Act of 2009, which will eliminate lead in paint, executive director... →

TAKING THE LEAD The proposed amendment to the Hazardous Substance Act of 2009 will reduce the amount of lead in paint to 90 parts per million

Municipality reduces GHG by using buses

By: Simone Liedtke 16th June 2017 The City of Johannesburg metropolitan municipality aims to achieve 25% less greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions, an operational cost efficiency with gas at R7/l for bus equivalents, and over three phases create more supply chain opportunities using its ‘green’ Metrobus fleet. →

Businesses embracing energy and carbon action plans

By: Simone Liedtke 16th June 2017 Uptake of the challenge of implementation corporate energy and carbon management strategies has taken some time, but businesses are now increasingly putting into place aggressive energy and carbon action plans, says resource efficiency and management company Environmental Resource Management... →

Company aims for positive impact on environment

By: Simone Liedtke 16th June 2017 Environmental management company I-CAT Environmental Solutions aims to deliver a product and service offering that impacts the environment favourably when compared with traditionally used products. →

Need for environmental awareness in growing industry

By: Simone Liedtke 16th June 2017 There is a growing need for the construction industry to become more environmentally aware, which includes considering solvent emissions, recycling and toxicity, and building materials supplier DenBraven national sales and marketing manager Michael Berg says the company has made higher... →

South Africans more conscious of greener ways of living

By: Simone Liedtke 16th June 2017 With South Africans being more aware of greener ways of living, multidisciplinary engineering consultancy WSP regional director and sustainability consultant Alison Groves says this has led to green building becoming integral in the design and construction of buildings. →

INITIAL FOCUS The rating system developed by the Green Building Council of South Africa was initially only focused on new buildings

Several Green trends expected to emerge this year

By: Simone Liedtke 16th June 2017 As the green-building groundswell takes hold globally, construction materials supplier AfriSam says industry can expect to several trends emerge this year. →

VICTOR BOUGUENON Trends include South Africa’s property and construction players committing to greener practices

Need for business to safeguard and support environmental protection initiatives

By: Simone Liedtke 16th June 2017 There is increasing pressure on businesses whose production processes produce waste to become more sustainable and support government’s efforts to safeguard the future of the environment by minimising their carbon footprint within their operations, says waste management company Interwaste group... →

REWARDING BENEFITS By obtaining green accreditation, businesses are recognised and can be rewarded for the role they play in protecting the environment

Programme provides in-depth understanding to boost green industry

By: Simone Liedtke 16th June 2017 Owing to the continuous development and application of new technology in the green industry, training and research provider Enterprises University of Pretoria (Enterprises at UP) will present the biannual ten-day Programme in Environmental Management under the auspices of the Centre for... →

Luminaire manufacturer expands product offering

By: Simone Liedtke 16th June 2017 Energy efficient luminaires manufacturer Beka Schréder launched a new standalone solar luminaire – the SOL-ONE – in May 2017, which uses the most efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs), says Beka Schréder marketing manager Sibusiso Skosana. →

SOL-ONE The luminaire has an integrated photocell and an integrated motion sensor

Dust suppression system in high demand

By: Kimberley Smuts 12th August 2016 Since the launch of environmental management company I-CAT Environmental Solutions’ retractable stockpile dust ring (R-SDR) system last year, market demand has increased greatly, says I-CAT technical manager Morne van Wyk. This demand can be attributed to the R-SDR system having eliminated the... →

Company receives environmental certification

By: Kimberley Smuts 12th August 2016 Tile and construction adhesive products manufacturer Tal, in May this year, became the first company in the construction adhesives industry to gain full ISO 14001 Environmental Management Certification. Tal safety, health, environment, risk and quality manager Julius McMaster says ISO 14001... →

JULIUS MCMASTER The ISO 14001 certification provides a framework that enables us to manage and enhance our environmental performance

Remediation of waste tyres reduces carbon emissions

By: Kimberley Smuts 12th August 2016 The Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (Redisa) has adopted several tactics to remediate waste tyres and, ultimately, reduce carbon emissions. This includes processing waste tyres using pyrolysis, crumbing and controlled burning in cement kilns. From January last year... →

Power Up energy systems boost green development

By: Kimberley Smuts 12th August 2016 With construction expected to begin in September, specialised procurement company Build Africa Corporation will supply its Power Up energy systems to 480 luxury-living housing units in the Acorn Creek complex in Somerset West, in the Western Cape. “This is the largest green residential... →

Sustainable concrete structures actively reduce energy consumption

By: Kimberley Smuts 12th August 2016 Being active in reducing energy consumption, The Concrete Institute (TCI) notes that concrete is a cost-effective material with low embodied energy and is, therefore, important in contributing to the sustainability of South Africa’s infrastructure. Embodied energy is the energy consumed by all of... →

AIR-BORNE TOXINS DISMISSED Use of titanium dioxide in the surface of concrete results in the conversion of harmful compounds when exposed to ultra-violet light

Educated consultants, surveyors are key in green initiatives

By: Victor Moolman 1st April 2016 Cost consultants and quantity surveyors can play a pivotal role in helping new building projects and decision-makers to make green building decisions during construction, says University of Pretoria Department of Construction Economics quantity surveying programme leader Danie Hoffman. →

GREEN BUILDING Success of green technologies depends on all parties being well informed about their application and benefits

Green techniques, energy management reduce energy demand

By: Victor Moolman 1st April 2016 Correct energy management and using green building techniques can decrease the demand for energy by 30%, says the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). →

Photo by Reuters
RESIDENTIAL ENERGY SAVING Responsibility of saving energy should be shared by consumers and suppliers

PPS building achieves high green rating

By: Victor Moolman 1st April 2016 Financial services company Professional Provident Society (PPS) has been awarded the five-star Green Star SA rating for Phase 1 of its Centurion Square office development - one of the highest ratings given – by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). →

RUSTED FACADE Rusted steel facade can easily be melted down and allows for a greener approach

Policy implementation yields green awareness

By: Victor Moolman 1st April 2016 Green building consulting company WSP ∣ Parsons Brinkerhoff, Africa (WSP) believes that green building awareness is likely to increase this year, owing to the implementation of Gauteng Vision 2055. →

ALISON GROVES Using green building techniques can increase creativity and productivity

Rainwater harvesting helps municipalities

By: Donna Slater 14th August 2015 Harvesting rainwater can enable industrial companies with sufficient roof space to dramatically reduce their use of potable water for nonpotable applications, easing the strain on municipalities that have to provide ever-increasing volumes of potable water, says specialist precast concrete... →

Vehicle OEM improves efficiency, cuts energy use

By: Donna Slater 14th August 2015 Vehicle manufacturer Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has introduced a wide range of energy-efficient technologies at its Silverton assembly plant, in Pretoria, reducing its energy consumption and demand on the national grid, while also bringing about commensurate cost savings. →

FORD RANGER New high-capacity air compressors were installed at a Ford assembly plant where the Ranger is manufactured

Paints industry spearheads lead-removal mission

By: Donna Slater 14th August 2015 Local paints industry representative organisation the South African Paint Manufacturers Association (Sapma) will meet with the Department of Health (DoH) this month to propose that the South African paints industry is aligned with US and UK legislation regarding lead-containing paints, says Sapma... →

MAKING PAINT SAFE The quantities of lead used to manufacture some pigmented paints is insignificant

New emissions regulations impact industry

By: Donna Slater 14th August 2015 Proposed emissions-reduction regulations, which are not yet in effect but will be enforced through mandatory reporting, carbon taxes and industry-specific ‘carbon budgets’, will act as a behavioural mechanism to force greenhouse-gas (GHG) emitters to reduce their emissions and energy use, as part... →

Photo by Bloomberg
REDUCING GREENHOUSE GASES South Africa has pledged to contribute towards a low-carbon economy

Utility costs, refurbishment contribute to green building

By: David Oliveira 3rd April 2015 Increasing utility costs and office building owners having to differentiate their service offering to secure tenants during the current tough economic climate will promote growth in the green building sector of South Africa, particularly in the green refurbishment of existing buildings, says the... →

MITIGATING A NATION'S CHALLENGES Green building initiatives address many of South Africa’s environmental and energy challenges, such as electricity and water shortages

New green building completed in heart of Joburg

By: David Oliveira 3rd April 2015 The World Wide Fund for Nature-South Africa (WWF-SA) will next month officially launch its new green premises, on the corner of Melle and De Korte streets in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, following the conclusion of the 14-month-long refurbishment of an existing building in January. WWF-SA business... →

WWF BUILDING, BRAAMFONTEIN Except for the façade, the original WWF building was deconstructed brick by brick, with every brick being used in the construction of the new building

Developer exceeds project’s recycled material targets

3rd April 2015 Construction and engineering company Murray & Roberts exceeded State-owned freight logistics company Transnet’s recycled material target for the revamp of the City Deep container terminal, in Johannesburg, having processed more than 35 000 m2 of the terminal’s old concrete and almost 65 000 m2 of... →

Retailer continues sustainability drive

By: David Oliveira 3rd April 2015 South African retailer Massmart is continuing to improve the operating efficiency of its stores by adopting more sustainable technologies, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and daylight harvesting cells for lighting, rainwater harvesting for water supply and evaporative cooling technology for... →

South African retailer Massmart group sustainability manager Alexander Haw discusses the group’s sustainability initiatives.

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