Background:

California is in the midst of a massive housing push to supply tens of thousands of new units by 2050. Currently, construction and demolition practices contribute 24-28% of the physical waste entering landfills in California. (globally these numbers trend closer to 40%). Existing efforts at landfill diversion of materials like plywoods, drywall, paints are treating the symptom of an industry that developed with little regard for human impact on environmental conditions. If the housing sector scales without supply side mitigation of these catastrophic environmental impacts long-term costs to the State of California will be economic, environmental and social. As the continued degradation of the environment compounds fragility across all aspects is elevated and socio- economic divides widen. 

Cross-state and international trade play a complex role in the development of California’s housing market, leaving it subject to shifting global market dynamics over which it has little agency. California is in a unique position to boost support for regional building material supply chains and foster sustainable growth whilst providing for the state’s housing needs. 

The last 20 years have seen the modernization of International building material markets with international codes for many natural fibers including the International residential code for straw bale construction. In addition the ASTM E2392-10 Standard guide for design of earthen wall building systems  as well as the 2021 Cob construction appendix to the International Residential Code  pave the way for new models of construction using earthen materials even in earthquake prone regions.    These innovations offer clear environmental advantages but held back by a lack of market incentives as well as by outdated supply chain modalities, normally this work is done by large corporations or coalition with either intellectual property or resource controls that assure their profitability. 

The CRRC coalition will conduct research activities culminating in the drafting of a roadmap for encouraging regional sourcing of building materials. The plan, will be presented for uptake by policymakers addressing the state’s housing crisis. The policy framework produced by CRRC stands to simultaneously bolster the region’s economy, reduce negative environmental impacts, and mitigate health risks for occupants currently exposed to a mix of harmful chemicals.

Rationale:

Many conventional construction materials damage the natural environment in their production, transportation and disposal. Toxic materials cause health issues for workers and occupants, resulting in complex healthcare burdens. As Californias vulnerability to climate based disasters has been highlighted in recent years it becomes all the more imperative for the State to offer leadership beyond traditional policy interventions and take an active role in exploring alternatives.

This initiative will examine existing research through desk research and key informant interviews and engagements.  Policy solutions to California’s housing crisis should include requirements and a frameworks, roadmaps and incentives for the use of sustainable and regionally-sourced materials.

Objectives:

1. Improve the prospects for regionally-resilient building material supply chains.
2. Foster cross-sector networks to collaborate in the development of enterprises that can tackle these issues while yielding social and environmental benefits.
3. Provide critical connective tissue for cross-sector collaboration through convening of working groups and cross-sector actors.

Outcomes:

Through the identification of hindering factors and emerging opportunities we will identify building materials and methods that can scale to provide Californias housing in a manner which reduces the burden of the building material industry on landfill waste disposal and total carbon emissions.