**5. Conclusions**

As important as it is, sustainability related with the concrete material is more than reducing the amount of cement in the mixes. Actually, in this book chapter other approaches have been presented and analysed, starting with the phases of the concrete material life-cycle where the proposed alternatives present lower environmental impacts than the traditional ones.

Although the article mentions different examples of the approaches to develop more sustainable concrete alternatives, it goes more in details in the ones studied (or under study) at the concrete laboratory of the Universidad de Concepción. In this way, the article analyses how it is possible to reduce the demand of concrete, and therefore cement, by optimising the designs of concrete pavements. Another approach is the replacement of concrete aggregates by industrial waste such as copper slag or ABS plastic, which not only reduces the demand for the natural resource, but it contributes to solving a waste disposal problem. Finally, it is propose the incorporation, during the production stage, of natural fibres, ELT rubber or biological elements that can increase the concrete durability, which is a direct contribution to sustainability.

Hence, it is possible to develop more sustainable alternatives than the traditional ones applied in the concrete industry, which is especially relevant considering the massive use of the concrete material. However, for the development of viable alternatives, it is necessary to consider the geo-dependence of concrete. Indeed, the physical and chemical properties of the concrete components, together with the site conditions, can influence the concrete performance.

*Different Approaches to Develop More Sustainable Concrete Alternatives DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.100194*
