Reduces fuel and materials use at the site of operation
Production of blocks at the construction site from locally available dirt saves materials and fuel. Non-earth blocks, or their primary ingredients, must be made at a central site and then shipped to the building site.

Reduces pollution associated with other building materials
Oven-fired clay brick and concrete block (made from cement, sand and rock) both require considerable heat, typically produced from burning of coal, trash, wood, or hazardous materials. Air pollution released from this process creates local and, due to its contribution to greenhouses gases, global problems. In addition, concentrated mining efforts for production of clay brick can harm arable land and foul local waterways.

Reduces disturbances to land from resource extraction
CEB can be manufactured using the same soil that is dug for the foundation at the building site. In comparison, the clay used in oven-fired clay brick is usually excavated in large open pits causing significant damage to local land.

Can involve the reuse of industrial waste
Instead of cement, industrial fly-ash (produced from the burning of coal and other materials) can be used to stabilize earth blocks. Otherwise, this by-product would typically be discarded.