Those who love plants may have noticed that more and more building facades and interior walls around us are gradually being covered with a variety of plants. Some environmentalists at the forefront of the green trend are even growing edible vegetables or herbs on their own walls. In the past, greening required large areas of flat land, but thanks to technological advancements, it has become possible to enjoy lush greenery and clean air in cities where land is scarce, simply by using plastic containers and supporting structures.
Living walls were invented in the 1930s, but they have only recently gained popularity due to the diversification of plastic's applications and the increasing demand for connecting with nature. Constructing a living wall begins with containers that can hold plants, soil, and water. Because of plastic's lightweight, strong, and rust-resistant properties, it has become the best choice for creating living wall structures of varying sizes. These plastic living walls not only provide a small joy in our lives but also reduce our environmental footprint.
- Water saving: The easy-to-shape properties of plastic allow the drip/watering system to be built into the design of the plant wall container. By stacking the containers, water can be reused from top to bottom, reducing the amount of water needed for each watering.
- Energy savings: In cities, living walls can lower the temperature around the walls, a concept that can help reduce electricity consumption for air conditioning in the summer. One living wall company estimates that placing a large living wall indoors can effectively reduce electricity consumption by 20%.
– Recycling and Reuse: Some companies that produce containers for green walls now use recycled plastics. Due to increased awareness of resource reuse among businesses and the public, the quantity of high-quality recycled PP and PET materials has increased, and these plastics are being reused extensively in the production of non-food contact containers. Therefore, purchasing green walls made from recycled plastics indirectly reduces energy consumption and the amount of waste that goes to landfills or incinerators.
Because the three types of green walls mentioned above can reduce environmental footprint, many architects or interior designers apply the concept of green walls to indoor or outdoor walls. In addition to greening indoor and outdoor spaces, they can also earn LEED points from the U.S. Green Building Council for water conservation, energy saving, or air quality.
Sources: Plastics Make it Possible by ACC (March 25, 2015) (Compiled by PIDC)
