Sustainable Earthbag Design Features

Earthbag structures are sustainable because they are safe (fire and mold resistant, structurally sound, nontoxic), durable, code approved, easy to maintain by homeowners, low cost ($10/sq.ft. is possible with small, simple designs), site specific, maximize solar gain, resistant to natural disasters such as floods, low embodied energy materials, use locally available resources, reduce energy consumption (Zero Energy designs available), DIY friendly (no special training needed if you do the research), low long term maintenance costs, few tools required, no special forms needed, uses recycled materials (used bags are readily available from feed stores, farmers, etc.), poly bags are 100% recyclable, little or no wood required depending on design (ideal for areas with termites), ideal for roundhouses and domes which create more floorspace for a given length of wall, earthbag domes and roundhouses are ideal for hurricane/tornado/high wind areas, can be designed for seismic resistance at low cost, can be designed almost any size and shape to meet homeowner needs, suitable for cold, wet, dry and hot climates with the appropriate design, wide variety of fill materials available, no plaster mesh typically required, no concrete foundation typically required, scoria-filled bags create insulated frost-protected foundations that reduce excavation and use of concrete, empowers communities by creating jobs and enabling self-help projects…
[note to self: turn this list into carefully crafted prose so people don’t think I’m lazy]