Materials efficiency refers specifically to waste reduction including construction and demolition reduction, reuse and recycling. Students will understand building products that are manufactured in ways that conserve raw materials, energy and water, that are reused or salvaged, or that can be recycled or reused at the end of the building’s service life.

The technologies and techniques used to conserve water; especially landscaping, water treatment, and recycling strategies will be used to help instruct about ecology and the environment. Opportunities to save water through water reclamation, gray water systems, and low-flow devices are discussed.

Environmentally sensitive site design for projects located in urban, suburban, or rural settings will be addressed. The overall issues involve disruption and displacement of wildlife habitat, increased erosion, diminished ground water recharge, and threats to the water quality of surface water bodies and aquifers. Procedures will be described that aid resource conservation and limit damage to the site during construction.