Sustainability at Wells

Many sustainability assessments stop at cradle to gate—evaluating the environmental impact only up to the point a material leaves the factory. While this is important, it doesn’t tell the full story. Prefabricated concrete demonstrates its greatest sustainability advantages when evaluated cradle to grave—from raw material sourcing through production, installation, decades of service life, and eventual reuse or recycling.

Its durability, minimal maintenance requirements, thermal performance, and potential for reuse at the end of life all contribute to a significantly lower environmental impact over time. When you look beyond just the initial carbon footprint and consider the full lifecycle, prefabricated concrete consistently delivers long-term sustainability that many other materials simply can’t match. Learn more about the lifecycle advantage of prefabricated concrete.

Prefabricated concrete structures are built to last. With lifespans that often exceed 75 years, precast components significantly reduce the need for replacement, repair, and maintenance. This longevity not only preserves resources over time but also contributes to lower embodied carbon across a building's lifecycle—supporting a more sustainable built environment.

See how this long-term value comes to life in our featured longevity projects: American Family Field, Chester Fritz Auditorium, and Aurora Justice Center.

When it comes to climate-conscious construction, resiliency is key. Prefabricated concrete delivers exceptional strength and stability, making it ideal for withstanding extreme weather events, seismic activity, and temperature fluctuations. Precast structures outperform traditional building materials under stress, reducing long-term environmental and financial costs tied to post-disaster recovery and repair.

At the end of a building’s life, prefabricated concrete offers sustainable options far beyond demolition. Elements, like double tees, can often be deconstructed piece by piece, allowing for reuse in future structures or repurposing for infrastructure applications. If reuse isn’t feasible, the components can be processed and crushed to recover valuable materials such as aggregates and steel reinforcement for recycling. This flexibility not only reduces landfill waste but also supports a circular construction economy, giving second lives to the material.