In evaluating the best material to use for the Swingback, we considered the resulting carbon footprint.   Many sports products are made in China using steel or aluminum.  This is because of the low cost of production.  Below are some of the environmental facts that led us to use furniture grade (FG) PVC made in the USA.   Data comes directly from the associated links.

•      Producing one Swingback with FG PVC emits less CO2 then using one gallon of gasoline. 
  
•      Using steel to produce Swingbacks would produce more then twice as much CO2 emissions then FG PVC.
•      Using aluminum to produce Swingbacks would produce twelve times as much CO2 emissions then FG PVC.
•      Sports products made in China results in more shipping emissions then a domestic product.
•      China accounts for 28% of global CO2 emissions (2017), with their steel industry contributing 10% to China's total.
•      China produces more then half of the world's steel and has been growing.
•      The world's largest steel corporations are not reducing emissions  at a rate to keep global warming below 2 degrees.
•      Steel represents the most emissions-intensive industry.