Why You Should Build With Strength For The Future

Mathews ReadyMix Joins a National Coalition With Sustainable Goals

Did you know building with concrete is a sustainable choice offering a lasting return on investment? It’s an environmentally-friendly construction material because it absorbs up to 20% of the carbon it initially produces, and lasts much longer than wood, drywall, sheet metal, and many other common building materials found on new construction sites.

In a world that needs all the environmental support it can get, Mathews Readymix is proud to be a part of the “Build With Strength” coalition - a national organization composed of members from the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. At Mathews, we believe action must be taken toward building a more sustainable future. One move we can make is to use long-lasting, carbon-reducing materials like concrete for both residential and commercial structures.

What is Build With Strength?

Build with Strength is a national coalition of professionals working for the construction industry. Together we join forces with architects, engineers, builders, policymakers, and emergency service providers to promote the numerous benefits of concrete as an eco-friendly construction material.

When we build with concrete, it’s with the intention the structure will last for generations to come. Unlike lumber, drywall, and sheet metal, concrete surpasses the test of time by avoiding rot, rust, and deterioration. Build With Strength is a community of innovators who understand these properties, and are thus united by the common goal of sustainable construction.

Check out the homepage video here to learn more about Build with Strength.

The Mission:

The Build With Strength mission is to educate potential partners in the fields of architecture, engineering, and construction about the benefits of using ready-mixed concrete. Not only is it a durable, versatile alternative to materials with much a shorter life cycle, but it promotes sustainability through its high insulation value and carbon-absorbing properties. Further, concrete is affordable, easy to use, and widely available across the country.

Build With Strength’s goal is to encourage designers and policymakers to work with growing communities to use concrete as the material of choice for the new construction of low to mid-rise structures.

“Because of the strength and durability properties that you get with concrete, you’re able to have a resilient structure.” - Dr. Jeremy Gregory, Research Scientist at MIT and Executive Director, Concrete Sustainability Hub

Build with Strength for the Long Term:

Did you know: through a process called “carbonation.” concrete absorbs carbon out of the atmosphere, sequestering it forever?

By 2030, Build With Strength aims to reduce carbon emissions of the materials industry by 50%. They’re already well on their way: the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has lowered its carbon footprint by 13% in five years.

The building sector is responsible for up to half of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. That’s where Build with Strength comes in, promoting the use of concrete for its enduring, sustainable properties that make a difference on our industry’s environmental impact.

Aaron Bacon