"Straw bale building is a clean, energy efficient, low carbon and robust method of construction and is in use across the UK. The aim of this project is to maximise the use of waste straw into a viable construction material by increasing the tolerance of necessary measurements to standardise the bales. In order to build with a bale it is necessary to understand that it meets a quantified measurement in relation to these factors with an emphasis on moisture content. This problem restricts the development of a recognised quality mark for straw bale buildings and houses which leads to reduced confidence from customers, developers, insurers and mortgage lenders alike. It also leads to increased costs as the houses are treated as a non-standard construction method and need non-standard insurance. A telephone survey of small to medium builders by Green & Castle has shown that there is a need and desire for contractors to both diversify and to increase their skills and awareness of more environmentally friendly methods and materials in order that the can keep up with the major house builders looking towards the 2050 standard.

By measuring and certifying the parameters in a stock of straw, we can look to build an industry standard that can be more easily signed off by Building Regulations. And if building regulations can sign off the buildings, then issues related to ""non-standard"" construction can be dismissed, and more straw structures can be completed. Over the longer term the collaboration of the agricultural and construction sectors will produce much needed high quality housing and other buildings with lower emissions lower bills, higher thermal comfort and better well-being properties.