How “green” are the green roofs? Lifecycle analysis of green roof materials

Green roofs can be classified as intensive and extensive roofs based on their purpose and characteristics. Green roofs are built with different layers and variable thicknesses depending on the roof type and/or weather conditions. Basic layers, from bottom to top, of green roof systems usually consists of a root barrier, drainage, filter, growing medium, and vegetation layer. There are many environmental and operational benefits of vegetated roofs. New technology enabled the use of low density polyethylene and polypropylene (polymers) materials with reduced weight on green roofs. This paper evaluates the environmental benefits of green roofs by comparing emissions of NO2, SO2, O3 and PM10 in green roof material manufacturing process, such as polymers, with the green roof’s pollution removal capacity. The analysis demonstrated that green roofs are sustainable products in long-term basis. In general, air pollution due to the polymer production process can be balanced by green roofs in 13–32 years. However, the manufacturing process of low density polyethylene and polypropylene has many other negative impacts to the environment than air pollution. It was evident that the current green roof materials needed to be replaced by more environmentally friendly and sustainable products.

► This paper analyzes and describes physical properties of green roof’s layers.
► It describes the composition of the materials of each green roof layer.
► Production of polymeric green roof layers releases toxic substances to the environment.
► Green roofs may balance the air pollution released in the production process in long-term.