Limitations of traditional building materials for sustainable construction in Sri Lanka

The global construction industry has long been a significant driver of economic growth and a major force behind environmental degradation, given its heavy resource and energy consumption. This study reveals the drawbacks of conventional building materials through an analysis of their limitations in terms of environmental, economic, and social impacts. The review of literature and expert interviews highlighted that traditional materials have high embodied energy, high greenhouse gas emissions, depletion of resources, and inefficiencies that result in costs and time overruns. The study emphasizes the urgent need for the construction industry to adopt sustainable practices, such as reducing waste, recycling, and reusing materials, to mitigate aforementioned impacts. Furthermore, the importance of selecting environmentally friendly materials that meet both user needs and societal development goals is emphasized as a critical factor in achieving sustainability. The findings suggest that overcoming the challenges posed by traditional materials requires a comprehensive approach that includes identifying barriers to sustainability within the Sri Lankan context and implementing targeted strategies. This research serves as a pilot study, laying the groundwork for future exploration into sustainable construction practices with a focus on material application in Sri Lanka’s construction industry.