“Environmentally conscious” materials, or “ecomaterials,” are those specifically designed to minimize adverse effects on the environment while maintaining acceptable performance and a competitive price. Related terms include “environmentally friendly” materials, or “environmentally preferable” materials, which are essentially synonymous. A notable geographic trend was observed in relation to this terminology: a recent computer search of the scientific literature under “ecomaterials” produced eight hits, all from authors in Asia, while “environmentally friendly materials” produced six hits, primarily from authors in North America and Europe.