Table of content

‍

Schools today are evolving into learning ecosystems that directly influence student health, behaviour, and academic performance. With the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasising student well-being, flexible learning spaces, and environmental education, schools in India are now prioritising green campus planning and eco-friendly construction materials.

‍

Choosing sustainable materials at the campus planning stage creates safer, healthier, and cost-efficient school environments. These materials:

• Improve indoor air quality & student health
  
• Lower electricity and maintenance costs by 20–35%
  
• Align with IGBC Green Schools & CSR sustainability goals
  
  

‍

According to IGBC and GRIHA case studies, well-designed green schools in India can reduce energy use by 25–30% and water use by 30–50%. (Values vary by climate, material selection, and execution quality.)

‍

Importantly, a sustainable school is not necessarily a more expensive school. When planned early, green material choices lower long-term operating costs, allowing school promoters to reinvest savings into better academics, facilities, and student programs.

10 ways to achieve Sustainable Design in 2025

‍

Below are 10 reliable, high-impact green materials suitable for school projects. Cost figures are indicative estimates and vary based on city, supplier, and project scale.

For each material, you’ll get:

• What it is
  
• Why it is eco-friendly
  
• Where to use it in a school campus
  
• Approx cost & availability (with disclaimer if approximate)
  
  

1. Fly Ash Bricks & AAC Blocks

What They Are: Fly ash bricks are made using industrial by-products of coal plants, and AAC (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) blocks are lightweight precast foam concrete blocks.

Why They’re Eco-Friendly:

• Reuse of waste materials
  
• Reduce topsoil depletion (vs red clay bricks)
  
• Better thermal insulation → cooler classrooms
  
• Lower carbon footprint during production
  

Best Use in Schools: Classroom walls, admin blocks, hostels, staff quarters, boundary walls.

Benefits for Campuses:

• Reduce indoor temperatures by 2–3°C (approx. varies by climate and wall thickness)
  
• Faster construction (AAC reduces wall load by 50–60%)
  
• Lower structural cost due to lightweight nature
  
  

Cost (Approx): ₹30–₹45 per block for fly ash; ₹55–₹85 per AAC block (varies by state)

Reliability Note: Widely used in both government and private school projects across India.

10 mistakes to avoid in campus planning in 2025

‍

2. Bamboo & Engineered Bamboo Products

What It Is: Bamboo is a rapidly renewable natural material. Engineered bamboo boards, flooring, and panels offer structural strength comparable to timber and in some cases mild steel.

Why It’s Eco-Friendly:

• Grows 10–20x faster than wood
  
• Absorbs more CO₂ than traditional timber plantations
  
• Biodegradable and non-toxic
  
• Reduces deforestation by replacing timber
  
  

Best Use in Schools: Assembly areas, music/art rooms, outdoor learning shelters, pergolas, playground seating, interior furniture, library shelving, wall cladding.

Benefits for Campuses:

• Natural, warm aesthetic suitable for student spaces
  
• Good acoustic and visual comfort
  
• Can be pre-fabricated for faster installation
  

Cost (Approx): Engineered bamboo boards: ₹180–₹350 per sq. ft, (Costs vary significantly by quality and supplier, assumption range based on current market trends)

Reliability Note: Used in sustainable school designs across Southeast Asia and in select IGBC-certified school projects in India.

10 ways to achieve sustainable design in construction in 2025

‍

3. Compressed Stabilised Earth Blocks (CSEB)

What It Is: CSEB are eco-friendly blocks made from a mix of soil, sand, a small percentage of cement/lime, and stabilizers — compressed with a manual or hydraulic press.

Why It’s Eco-Friendly:

• Uses local soil → low embodied energy
  
• Very low carbon footprint vs fired bricks
  
• Breathable material enhances indoor comfort
  
• Recyclable and reusable
  

Best Use in Schools: Classrooms, learning courtyards, boundary walls, outdoor amphitheatres, admin buildings.

Benefits for Campuses:

• Natural insulation → cooler classrooms (beneficial for hot climates)
  
• Aesthetic earthy look, promotes connection with nature
  
• Encourages local community engagement (can be made on-site)
  

Cost (Approx): ₹8–₹12 per block if made on-site; ₹15–₹25 if purchased (varies based on soil composition and region)

Reliability Note: CSEB has been used in rural and alternative education campuses such as Auroville (Tamil Nadu), and various NGO school projects.

‍

4. Recycled Steel & Green Reinforcement Materials

What It Is: Recycled steel is produced from scrap metal melted and reprocessed. Green reinforcement alternatives include GFRP (Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer) bars and sometimes bamboo-based composite bars for low-load structures.

Why It’s Eco-Friendly:

• Steel is 100% recyclable with no loss in strength
  
• Up to 70–80% less energy used vs making virgin steel (source: World Steel Association data)
  
• Reduces mining and ecological impact
  
  

Best Use in Schools: Structural frames, roofing structures, multi-purpose halls, sports infrastructure, lab buildings.

Benefits for Campuses:

• High durability and earthquake resistance
  
• Lower maintenance than traditional materials
  
• GFRP bars are corrosion-resistant, useful in coastal/humid regions
  
  

Cost (Approx): Recycled steel can be 2–4% cheaper than virgin steel (price fluctuates weekly based on scrap market; range is indicative). GFRP bars cost 50–70% more initially but reduce lifecycle cost due to zero corrosion (assumption based on market trend).

Reliability Note: Recycled steel is a standard material used globally and in many IGBC/GRIHA-certified institutional projects.

‍

5. Low-VOC Paints & Natural Plasters

What They Are: Low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints emit fewer harmful chemicals. Natural plasters include lime plaster, clay plaster, and mud-lime blends.

Why They’re Eco-Friendly & Student-Safe:

• Reduce indoor air pollution—important for children’s lung health
  
• Prevents “sick building syndrome” caused by chemical paint fumes
  
• Clay/lime plasters regulate humidity naturally
  

Best Use in Schools: Classrooms, labs, libraries, dormitories, activity rooms, art/music rooms.

Benefits for Campuses:

• Better indoor air quality → improves student concentration & attendance
  
• Natural finishes create calm learning environments
  
• Lime plaster is naturally anti-fungal & anti-bacterial
  

Cost (Approx): Low-VOC paint: ₹280–₹550 per litre (depends on brand). Natural lime/clay plaster: ₹90–₹180 per sq. ft (application cost varies by mason skill)

Reliability Note: Endorsed by IGBC for healthy buildings; several schools in Delhi NCR & Bengaluru have shifted to low-VOC paints.

Increase the impact of your project with sustainable construction

‍

6. Cool Roofing Materials (Reflective, Clay Tiles, Green Roofs)

What It Is: Roofing systems designed to reflect heat and reduce indoor temperatures, including high-SRI reflective coatings, clay tile roofs, and planted green roofs.

Why It’s Eco-Friendly:

• Reduces AC requirement by 15–20% (credible range from BEE & Cool Roof India studies)
  
• Lowers urban heat island effect
  
• Clay tiles are natural & recyclable
  

Best Use in Schools: Classrooms, auditoriums, indoor sports facilities, hostels, canteens.

Benefits for Campuses:

• Cooler indoor spaces → enhances focus and comfort
  
• Protects roof surface → increases roof lifespan
  
• Green roofs provide nature-based learning spaces (if structurally feasible)
  

Cost (Approx):

• Cool roof coating: ₹25–₹45 per sq. ft
• Clay tiles: ₹140–₹250 per sq. ft
• Green roof: ₹500–₹1,200 per sq. ft (wide variation due to system type)

Reliability Note: Cool roof initiatives have been piloted in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Jaipur & Chennai.

‍

7. Recycled & Upcycled Furniture

What It Is: Furniture made from recycled plastic, reclaimed wood, discarded school desks, or upcycled industrial waste.

Why It’s Eco-Friendly:

• Diverts waste from landfills
  
• Reduces cutting of trees for new furniture
  
• Promotes circular economy habits among students
  

Best Use in Schools: Classrooms, libraries, staff rooms, outdoor seating, labs (with durable HDPE furniture).

Benefits for Campuses:

• Low maintenance, long life
  
• Can be student-led projects promoting sustainability culture
  
• Ideal for CSR-funded upgrades of government school furniture
  

Cost (Approx):

• ‍‍Recycled plastic benches: ₹3,500–₹8,500 each
• Upcycled classroom desks: ₹2,000–₹4,500 per unit (cost varies on source and labour)

Reliability Note: Many NGOs and social enterprises in India run school furniture recycling programmes.

‍

8. Solar Glass & Energy-Efficient Windows

What It Is: Solar glass generates electricity, while energy-efficient windows use double glazing, UPVC/wood frames, or low-e glass to reduce heat gain.

Why It’s Eco-Friendly:

• Reduces energy consumption for lighting & cooling
  
• Generates renewable energy on-site (for solar glass)
  
• Improves thermal comfort
  

Best Use in Schools: Admin block, labs, library, computer rooms, north-facing classrooms, and areas needing natural daylight.

Benefits for Campuses:

• Lower electricity bills (lighting + AC)
  
• Better natural daylight → reduces eye strain for students
  
• Enhances acoustic and thermal performance
  

Cost (Approx):

• ‍‍Energy-efficient windows: ₹850–₹1,800 per sq. ft
• Solar glass: still emerging in India, currently ~₹5,000–₹7,000 per sq. ft (high CAPEX, limited suppliers — cost may reduce by 2026)

Reliability Note: Double-glazed windows are standard in green schools; solar glass is early adoption stage in India.

Design a world class hospital in 2025

‍

9. Sustainable Flooring (Cork, Linoleum, Recycled Rubber, Terrazzo)

What It Is: Flooring made from natural, recycled, or low-impact materials.

Why It’s Eco-Friendly:

• Cork & linoleum are natural, renewable, and biodegradable
  
• Recycled rubber reduces tyre waste
  
• Terrazzo uses recycled stone/marble chips
  

Best Use in Schools: Kindergarten rooms, libraries, indoor sports halls, music rooms, labs, corridors.

Benefits for Campuses:

• Safe & cushioned for young children
  
• Slip-resistant, low maintenance
  
• Improves acoustics in learning spaces
  

Cost (Approx):

• ‍‍Cork flooring: ₹250–₹450 per sq. ft
• Linoleum: ₹180–₹380 per sq. ft
• Recycled rubber: ₹130–₹250 per sq. ft

Reliability Note: Used extensively in European & US green schools; increasingly adopted in premium schools in Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru.

‍

10. Prefabricated & Modular Components

What It Is:
Factory-made building components assembled on-site. Can include pre-cast walls, prefab classrooms, toilet blocks, and steel structures.

Why It’s Eco-Friendly:

• Minimises site waste by 30–60% (approximation supported by modular construction studies)
  
• Reduces construction time by 40–50%
  
• Better quality control → higher durability
  

Best Use in Schools: Expansion wings, additional classrooms, labs, libraries, hostels, rural schools needing fast setup.

Benefits for Campuses:

• Faster campus readiness → less academic disruption
  
• Cleaner site, minimal dust and noise (child-friendly)
  
• Can be relocated if school expands or relocates
  

Cost (Approx): Prefab classrooms: ₹1,200–₹2,400 per sq. ft (varies based on material – steel, PUF, cement board, etc.)

Reliability Note: Used in government school upgrades, CSR-funded rural schools, and low-disruption expansion projects nationwide.

‍

Read about rubble masonry in construction

‍

‍Q1. Are eco-friendly materials more expensive for school construction?
Not necessarily. Some materials have slightly higher initial costs, but most help schools save on electricity, repairs, and maintenance, reducing long-term costs.

Q2. Which eco-friendly materials are best for classrooms?
AAC/Fly ash bricks, low-VOC paints, cool roofing, and double-glazed windows are ideal for comfortable, healthy classrooms.

Q3. Can these materials be used in rural or low-budget schools?
Yes. Materials like CSEB, recycled furniture, bamboo, and cool roof coatings are affordable and highly suitable for low-cost schools.

Q4. Do eco-friendly materials last long?
Yes. Recycled steel, engineered bamboo, CSEB, and lime plaster are durable when sourced and installed correctly.

Q5. Which certifications recognise green schools in India?
IGBC Green Schools, GRIHA for Schools, and LEED are the major frameworks for sustainable school buildings.

‍

Choosing eco-friendly materials is not just a construction decision, it is a long-term educational investment. A school built with sustainable materials:

• Improves student comfort, behaviour, and learning
• Lowers running costs and enhances resilience
• Builds a culture of environmental responsibility in children
  
  

Whether you are planning a new school campus, upgrading buildings, or designing a CSR-funded learning space, the right material choices during the campus planning and campus design stage can transform the learning environment for decades.

BuiltX can help you design spaces that are sustainable, student-friendly, and cost-efficient. So contact us today!