Green technology products are items which factor environmental awareness into their design and use. Popular in the 21st century, green technology products aim to reduce waste, cut pollution, and even diminish fossil fuel use. Some of the major types of green technology products include energy creation products, green chemicals, sustainable or recyclable products, and technology that runs on alternative energy.
One major focus of the green movement is the reduction of fossil fuel use. Products that help create alternative energy, such as solar panels and thermal heating discs, are some of the most important green technology products used in everyday life. Solar panels, which can be installed on homes, apartments, and commercial buildings, use the sustainable heat of the sun to charge solar batteries, which can be used for electricity instead of traditional, non-sustainable sources like gas. Thermal heating discs, which are used in swimming pools, suck the sun's rays in and radiate them over the pool's surface, providing an alternative means of heating that avoids fossil fuel use.
Green chemicals are important in many green technology products. These products aim to create the same effects as toxic, polluting chemicals, while reducing risk of poisoning and environmental harm. Green chemical products include home cleaning agents made out of coconut and glycerin, insecticides that use orange or peppermint oil instead of toxic chemicals, and even green laundry detergent that can reduce water pollution.
Sustainable and recyclable green technology products help increase the life cycle of consumer material. These products may include cell phones made from plastic water bottles, appliances rebuilt from scrap metal, and even recyclable laptops. Green technology products that use sustainable and recyclable materials often advertise their involvement in recycling initiatives; consumers shopping for a new cell phone or laptop may wish to inquire about specific models that use recycled materials. Using recyclable products can help reduce waste and pollution, while cutting down on landfill expansion and the resulting air and water contamination.
One other major area of green technology is the design of devices and systems that run on alternative energy. In the late 20th century, one major innovation was the development of the hybrid car engine, which can run on both gas and electricity. Solar powered charging devices for phones, laptops, and portable appliances are also popular green technology products. By converting everyday products to alternative energy power sources, green technology can help reduce fossil fuel use and help users cut energy bills.