Renewable resources
Seeking to produce goods from renewable resources is an important part of reducing our impact on the environment. It represents a change in thinking – for example coal has traditionally been used to generate electricity. Now it is becoming more accepted to use hydro and wind power to create energy.
If we can produce goods from natural resources that regenerate more quickly than we can use them, it is great news for the environment.
What are renewable resources?
Renewable resources are resources that are capable of being replaced by natural ecological cycles or sustainable management practices.
Renewable resources include oxygen, fresh water, solar energy, timber, and biomass. Biomass is grown from several plants, including corn, hemp, willow and sugarcane.
Renewable resources have many uses. For example, solar energy can be converted for use in a number of applications such as heating, electricity generation and light. Other examples are polymers derived from plant materials like corn, sugar beets and wheat, that can provide bio-plastics to create a broad range of products like bottles, pillow cases and food packaging.
