Regional materials are defined as primary resources such as sand, stone, metals, wood, and their associated products, that are extracted, mined, harvested, refined, and manufactured within a 500 mile radius of the building construction (1).

The practice of using regional material offers the key environmental benefits of reduced fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from the transport of material to the construction site. Materials travelling shorter distances also require less protective packaging, and are thereby associated with less waste. When material is bought locally, it is also easier to determine where it was extracted from and whether the extraction and processing were carried out in an environmentally responsible manner. This is not always possible when importing material long distances.

Incorporating regional material into buildings also has cultural and economic benefits at the local level.  The use of local raw materials can provide residents with a sense of identity, place and history, while also supporting the local economy.

Sources
¹ U.S. Green Building Council, 2009.  LEED 2009 for New Construction and Major Renovations Rating System.