The future of eco-friendly building materials.

To analyze the future of eco-friendly building materials it's probably important to first consider the history of the eco-friendly effort. It sometimes referred to as the green movement, started long before this latest eco-friendly push. When you examine economic history it can be said that some type of green effort follows almost every economic downturn. Consumers are forced to scale back, food budgets are adjusted, remodeling plans and trips are cancelled. We naturally burn less carbon which possibly helps green movements gain steam. Obviously, the great depression was during a time when we were very unaware of climate change and our impact on the environment. But it can be said that green movements ignited following recessions in the 70's, 80's, 90's and now again following the most recent great recession. Even though green conscious people always remain vigilant, many humans resort back to less eco-friendly practices as economic conditions improve. The reality is we burn more carbon when economic times are good by consuming more products, remodeling, building, and traveling more.

So, what makes this latest eco-friendly push any different than the past? You should be happy to know there are major differences between now and prior green efforts. First, eco-friendly manufacturers are for the first time producing Earth friendly products that compete on both price and quality. In many cases you can actually save money by using more eco-friendly options. Second, scientists are discovering things that make dramatic leaps forward in energy production. For example, researchers recently discovered a polymer that makes solar panels 100 times more effective than they have been. That is going to make solar power a far better option for consumers in the very near future. Finally, for the first time in our history manufacturing industries that are the biggest polluters are no longer considered sustainable businesses. This is acceptance that eventually these heavy omitting businesses will have to change their manufacturing processes or some day they will no longer exist.

The EPA states that the four biggest contributors to green house gas pollution are electricity production, manufacturing & industry, transportation, and agriculture. Electricity production and transportation have historically received the most attention. Solar panels, advanced batteries, and modern electric motors have all made effective strides at reducing greenhouse gas pollution and researchers continue to improve other alternatives. Manufacturing and industry seems to have received the most entreprenuel attention in this latest green effort. More products than ever are being manufactured utilizing recycled content. Whether it's plastic from detergent bottles, glass from windows, wood from barns, rubber from tires, paper from used newspapers, it's being used to manufacture a high quality sustainable building material.  In addition, manufacturers  have figured out ways to use our bio-waste to make things like paneling and cabinetry.  Our generation has an incredible opportunity with this latest green movement to keep our foot on the gas until real progress is made for our environment. The solutions and products are available, we just need to use them. At Paper Plane Co. we are extremely proud to be a part of this effort in our specialty, eco-friendly building materials, paperplaneco.us