<p>Building is an energy, plastic, and emissions intensive sector. Using environmentally friendly materials might pave the way towards reducing its carbon footprint. Now, researchers have tested the suitability of a mix of rice husks and cellulose – both materials that otherwise would end up in landfills or garbage incineration plants – as a building material. They found that the material had good thermal and mechanical properties, making it suitable to be used in a range of applications, including the insulation of eco-friendly buildings.</p>