What is Eco-Friendly?
Recently I’ve been reading through “The Eco-Design Handbook” that is supposed to show products that are made in eco-friendly ways. However, instead of learning new ways of designing products to be more sustainable or green, Ive begun to question what it truly means to be “eco-friendly”
The book lists several products as eco-friendly because they are “durable” and “multifunctional”. Although I would say that these characteristics are valuable, I dont think those aspects alone classify a product as eco-friendly. Then comes the question: what does classify a product as truly eco-friendly or sustainable?
According to the Cradle to Cradle concept proposed by William Mcdonough and Michael Braungart, a product must be able to be completely biodegradable or reusable (a completely closed loop system) to be truly green. However, that seems a bit demanding to me, imagine making something as complex as a computer that could be totally broken down and recycled into the earth. Im not saying thats not something to strive for, it just seems a bit unrealistic.
Do you consider something that is durable and multifunctional green? Or do you agree with the cradle to cradle concept? Or somewhere in the middle? Where do you draw the line?
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Tags: design, eco, eco friendly, green, green movement, product, sustainability, Sustainable
NMadsen's Blog 
This book seems to be very helpful ,we can go for new ways but our main focus should be just on eco-friendly products.That we can use in various forms or can be converted into other useful products.
With more eco friendly products its important we at least make an attempt to use them. Even if it helps a little, it helps. I just wrote a post about how even ashalt can be more ecofriendly. Its not better than having grass of course, but if you have a driveway this is a way to make it more eco friendly. With stamping your asphalt driveway and using StreetBond coating, it actually reduces Island Heat Effect. Which is getting worse and worse with all the construction in cities and the temperature rise. Also the coating contributes to LEED credits. All the products are water based and non toxic. So no chemical run off like so many other chemicals do. Just a another way to help the environment.
-My Driveway Dr.
Eco Friendly Asphalt – http://drivewayimpressions.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/asphalt-a-more-eco-friendly-alternative/