OUR CORE VALUES

Here at Eco Home Builders we put a huge emphasis on building towards a sustainable New Zealand.

We do this by offering sustainable choices in construction to our clients. Things like using locally sourced building supplies goes along way to insuring an eco-friendly sustainable build. Not only does this support local industries and communities but it also reduces added transportation costs to the pocket and to the welfare of the environment. Reducing carbon miles is one way we can save the planet and give your build the eco-friendly tick. The construction industry has a bad name for polluting the planet, from harsh sourcing and manufacturing techniques, to how we dispose of waste, whether it is biodegradable or toxic. Using Eco Home Builders for your next build will ensure that you can sit back and relax in the knowledge that you have done all you can do to minimize negative impacts on the environment.

Eco-friendly building materials emit little to no toxins and have fewer harmful environmental pollutants, which is not only good for the planet, but the lack of these harmful chemicals will have a hugely positive impact on you, your family and pets living in your home. This can also stretch out as far as benefiting neighbourhoods and communities. When things do get replaced, down the track, future generations will also feel the effects of your caring decision making.

Here are a few techniques Eco Home Builders take to build towards a better healthier New Zealand.

TIMBER

Using and recycling New Zealand grown timber is high on our list as an easy way to support towards a sustainable build.

Using locally produced timber comes with the known benefit that it has been sourced sustainably. No need to fear that you are supporting global deforestation problems, harming endangered species such as the orangutan, displacing people and villages, the list of atrocities goes on and on when dealing with timber production from neighbouring countries. You can live comfortably with the knowledge that you have not contributed to the problems faced today in this globalised society. Australia also has good sustainable timber practices, but using their products still contribute to transportation associated pollution.

Not to mention we have such amazing types of trees grown in this fair country. Native timbers such as our beautiful Rimu, which is not only unbelievably strong, a lovely colour and texture but it is also anti-bacterial, why would you go offshore for an inferior product.

METAL

Eco Home Builders love using materials such as colour steel in our construction. Colour steel products durability require less maintenance to look good which reduces environmental impact. And its long life means less wastage. And let us not forget that it is also recyclable.

We are lucky in New Zealand in the fact that most companies are environmentally minded and that goes with out mention to New Zealand’s steel manufacturing. A huge emphasis has been taken to reduce environmental impact in this sector. A high percentage of the electricity used in production is renewable, waste water is recycled and treated. Locally sourced metal solutions reduces transportation pollution. The sustainable aspect to using metal is that it can be reused and recycled over and over again with little wastage. The main ingredient to producing and recycling metal is heat which is used in our foundries to melt the metal/ore. This is where our amazing national renewable energy network comes in, compared to other solutions to generate electricity, there is no match to sustainability. And when it’s not from the national grid, on-site generation using recycled natural gas is used.

CONCRETE

Concrete is also good to use in a eco-friendly build even though it tends to receive negative connotations with CO2 emissions. Not only is concrete good for thermal mass in buildings, but concrete incurs little manufacturing waste and can be recycled/reused easily. The fact that concrete is durable is also a beneficial attribute to its sustainability, as low maintenance to keep it up to scratch and looking great means less harmful products used in maintaining its lifespan, which can be 100 years plus!

Locally sourced ingredients also adds to concretes overall environmental performance.

STONE

Locally sourced stone is a good eco-friendly material. For one, it doesn’t have to be manufactured. Stone is not a renewable resource though, but it can have a more positive effect on the environment compared to other solutions. Waste products are non toxic and can be reused in another applications. Plus it can look great! Using Halswell stone or Port Hills Volcanic rock can add to the local feel of an area. Sourcing stone from far away can negate any eco-friendly attempts with added transportation pollution. Yes we are ok with incorporating Oamaru stone.

INSULATION

Using New Zealand produced fibreglass insulation will always be recommended compared to imported versions, but it does still take large amounts of energy to create and is not biodegradable if released into the environment.

If you are really serious about reducing your carbon footprint, biodegradability and sustainability, insulation like wool might be your best option. Not only is it mainly comprised of reused/recycled home grown fibres, which doesn’t leach any harmful compounds into you living spaces, but it is also fire retardant too.

WASTE

Another big factor for us is on-site waste management and recycling. Utilising eco-friendly materials in construction inherently produces eco-friendly waste but a lot of builds also start with a demolition phase. This requires removing and disposing of what was there beforehand. We take disposing waste very seriously and we will do all we can to keep discarded waste out of landfill. We sort recyclable materials into groups and recycle through the correct channels.

In the demolition process we will endeavour to capture all materials. Micro wastes are a forgotten contaminant which we have seen uncontained all to often on construction and demolition sites.