There’s a lot of talk about the airline industry trying to be more environmentally friendly. As you may already know, aviation currently accounts for 1.6% of global greenhouse emissions, but that number could grow larger if the industry goes unchecked. And so, the industry and many of its airlines are doing their part to move towards a lower footprint. Just last week it was announced that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) will approve biofuels for use on commercial flights by 2010.

Southwest Airlines is also doing its part, recently unveiling its Green Plane. How exactly is a plane “green”? Southwest took one of its 737-700 that has been in service for four years and was already set to get its seats refurbished. Instead of going the classic refurbishing route, Southwest took the opportunity to make an airplane with a whole slew of environmentally friendly interior products. Some of the features include InterfaceFLOR Carpet, completely 100% recyclable, and e-Leather on the seats, a man-made leather alternative that is lighter weight and made of recycled materials. The plane will act a “test lab,” used to evaluate these more eco-friendly products.

Southwest says that the cost of furbishing the plane’s interior with more environmentally friendly materials as opposed to traditional ones will be a “wash,” given the weight — each seat is said to be five pounds lighter — and fuel savings, as well as the cost of savings on leather refurbishment

Just refurbishing one plane out of a whole fleet may not seem like a huge impact, but it’s certainly a symbolic step, one we’re hoping will encourage even more change and cutting edge designs that make airplanes lighter and more energy efficient.

[Via: Jaunted]