What characterizes sustainable materials?

Sustainable materials are characterized by their ability to be easily replaced or grown, which relates directly to their renewability and ability to minimize environmental impact. When materials can be regenerated or sourced sustainably, they contribute to a cycle of use that does not deplete resources or harm the ecosystem. This can include materials that are either biodegradable or produced through sustainable practices, ensuring that their use does not compromise the needs of future generations.

The other options lean towards characteristics that do not support sustainability. Non-renewable resources are finite and their extraction has long-term environmental consequences. Solely synthetic substances may lack sustainability if they do not have eco-friendly manufacturing processes or lifecycle management. Lastly, limiting the use of sustainable materials to just construction overlooks their applicability in various sectors, such as consumer goods, packaging, and textiles, demonstrating the broader scope of sustainability in materials beyond one specific industry.