ABSTRACT
Construction accounts for one-quarter of the raw materials removed from the Earth. Oil accounts for a large percentage of that, and much of that oil goes to make plastic. But when it comes to architecture, alternatives to plastic abound. Wood is the most widely used material on Earth by volume, and concrete is the most widely used by weight. But plastic's use in non-structural materials like plumbing, insulation, and wiring make building its second most common use after packaging. Wiring is one area where we're not likely to see alternatives to plastic. Plumbing and insulation, however, are two areas where alternatives are being eagerly investigated because of concerns about the plastics currently used in them.
