Our Mission

Acknowledging that the construction and housing industries are broken, Eco Building Products has chosen an alternative approach to constructing buildings so that home owners and contractors can create buildings intelligently, efficiently, sustainably and affordably.

Our Vision

We envision thriving communities of intelligent and active adults living simply and within their means. By moderating their consumption and respecting all earthly beings these inspired communities choose sustainable lifestyles aligned with earth's natural cycles. And despite all of the global challenges they will face, they prosper living gracefully and peacefully.

Our Products, tested, tried, and trusted

Over two decades, we have served thousands of clients who have tested, tried, and ultimately trusted our product lines. Their feedback and loyalty have been instrumental in shaping our offerings and affirming our commitment to excellence.

Evolution of Our Product Lines Over 20 Years

Over the past 20 years, our product lines have evolved significantly, driven by technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and a commitment to our natural world. A

Legacy Built on Customer Experience

From the outset, our mission has been clear: to provide high-quality products that meet our customers' diverse needs. With each passing year, we have dedicated ourselves to growing and developing high-performance, low-maintenance, and sustainable products that reduce environmental impact by paying attention to our customers' real-world testing and listening to their insightful feedback. Our customers have played a pivotal role in this process. By engaging with our products—whether through feedback, reviews, or direct communication—they have helped us understand what works and what doesn't. This collaborative relationship has helped us build a brand that meets expectations and often exceeds them.

The Power of Testing and Feedback

One of the cornerstones of our success has been our commitment to rigorous real-world testing. We believe a product is only as good as its performance in users' hands. Over the years, thousands of our customers have implemented extensive testing to develop a keen understanding of how our products perform under various conditions.

This process has led us to several key conclusions:

Quality Assurance: Our products consistently meet high standards, ensuring reliability and durability for our customers.

User-Centric Design: User feedback has guided our design processes, leading to enhancements that improve usability and satisfaction.

Adaptability: The diverse needs of our customer base have prompted us to adapt and innovate, ensuring that we remain relevant in a rapidly changing market.

The Results Speak for Themselves After two decades of dedicated service, we proudly say that our product lines have proven themselves in real-world applications. Thousands of satisfied customers can attest to the excellence of our offerings, citing their effectiveness, reliability, and overall quality.

Here are some highlights:

Positive Reviews: Our products consistently receive high ratings across various platforms, reflecting customer satisfaction and trust.

Repeat Business: After 20 years of serving our customers, we are proud to say that sales to our returning customers are our bread and butter. Despite our consistent and rapid growth over the years, sales to returning customers remain the highest percentage of total sales, demonstrating our customers’ confidence in our brand.

Word-of-Mouth Referrals: Many new customers come to us through recommendations from existing clients, underscoring the strength of our reputation.

Our Service

Customer Service
At Eco Building Products, our customer support team is dedicated to ensuring your experience is smooth, reliable, and satisfying from start to finish. We work hard to ensure every order is shipped promptly and arrives at your doorstep unscathed and in excellent condition. However, we understand that sometimes things don’t go as planned. If your products arrive damaged, are lost in transit, you receive the wrong item, or encounter any other issue, our customer service team is always ready and happy to help resolve the problem quickly and efficiently.
Beyond handling shipping and order concerns, our customer service team is well-versed in our product lines and can often provide technical support or sales consulting to help you select the product that best serves your needs. Our knowledgeable staff is here to assist if you have questions about installation, compatibility, or product features.
If your inquiry requires more specialized expertise, rest assured that our team will connect you with the appropriate technical support specialist or sales consultant. We believe in ensuring you get the answers and assistance you need, no matter how complex the question. At Eco Building Products, your satisfaction is our top priority, and we are committed to supporting you!
Easy Returns
Returning merchandise to Eco Building Products is designed to be straightforward and hassle-free. If you need to return an item, simply ensure that your return is initiated within 30 days of receiving your products. To be eligible for a refund, the merchandise must be received by our warehouse in resalable condition. Please take care to package your items securely before shipping them back.
To get started, complete our easy-to-use Return Form. This step is important, as it allows us to provide you with specific return instructions, including the correct warehouse address and a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number for your package. This helps ensure your return is processed quickly and accurately.
Please note that you are responsible for arranging and paying for the return shipping. In some cases, returns may be subject to a 25% restocking fee. Once your returned items arrive at the warehouse and are confirmed to be in resalable condition, we will process your refund promptly. Our goal is to make the return process as smooth as possible, so if you have any questions or need assistance at any step, our customer service team is always here to help.
Sales Consultants
At Eco Building Products, our Sales Consultants are more than just salespeople—they are product line specialists with a deep understanding of our entire range of offerings. What sets our team apart is its ability to provide comprehensive support, blending technical expertise with practical installation advice. Whether you’re a homeowner tackling a DIY project or a seasoned contractor working on a large-scale build, our consultants are dedicated to ensuring you are fully informed and confident in your purchasing decisions.
One key advantage of working with our Sales Consultants is that they do not earn sales commissions. Their primary motivation is to help you find the product that truly fits your needs, not simply to close a sale. They take the time to listen to your requirements, answer your questions, and guide you toward the best solutions, always with your best interests in mind.
In addition to their technical knowledge, our Sales Consultants are experts in our promotional programs. They can explain eligibility and enrollment for our Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Program (EP3), Eco-Upgrade initiatives, and Rewards Points system. They are also well-versed in how high-volume vertical and horizontal sales discounts work, ensuring every customer, whether a DIY enthusiast, contractor, tradesman, architect, or designer, can take full advantage of available savings. At Eco Building Products, our Sales Consultants are committed to providing honest, knowledgeable, and customer-focused support at every step of your journey.
Technical Support
At Eco Building Products, we understand that you may have technical questions to make a well-informed purchasing decision, or questions may arise at any project stage. Our Technical Support Team is committed to providing accurate, reliable support. We can often refer you to the product’s safety data sheet (SDS) or detailed installation instructions, which frequently address the most common technical concerns and provide step-by-step guidance.
Our in-house product line specialist is knowledgeable and often qualified to answer a wide range of technical questions about our products. Whether you need advice on application methods, compatibility, or performance characteristics, our specialist can provide clear, practical information tailored to your needs.
However, we recognize that some situations require even more specialized expertise. When your questions or concerns exceed our team’s scope, we don’t leave you without answers. Instead, we work closely with the product manufacturer, leveraging their resources and expertise to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information. At Eco Building Products, we aim to ensure you have the technical support you need, no matter how complex the issue, so that you can proceed confidently on every project.

20 Years in Business

In the third week of March 2006, the Internal Revenue Service officially recognized Eco-Building Products, marking 20 years in business this month.

A few things we’re proud of:

Twenty years ago, we were operating out of a garage on the west side of Traverse City, Michigan, making sales calls to local architects and builders. Today, our headquarters are located in Frankfort, Michigan. We make very few sales calls, operate a website that receives thousands of visitors each day, and ship our products from 17 strategically located warehouses across North America.

Twenty years ago, we represented only a handful of visionary vendors who were early leaders in the green building movement. Today, we have grown alongside most of those brands and expanded to 28 additional innovative, solid brands that have helped define and advance the sustainable construction industry.

Twenty years ago, we had very few sales and had no ratings or reviews. Today, we have millions in sales and have earned a 4.8‑star customer rating.

Twenty years ago, our environment, society, and economy faced serious challenges—and they still do. Today, Eco-Building Products is committed to being part of the solution by contributing to a broad range of non-governmental organizations working to repair, protect, and improve the world we live in.

Thank you to our customers, vendors, and partners who have been part of this twenty-year journey. Here’s to the next chapter.

Our Do-it-Yourselfers

Over time, we've come to understand our customers well and are truly impressed. They are more than just builders or homeowners—they are creators, visionaries, and stewards living passionate, sustainable lives. They view home improvement as a way to align their values with the world, knowing their choices impact future generations.

Many are skilled tradespeople like woodworkers, roofers, electricians, and plumbers, while others are capable DIYers upgrading their homes with confidence. They take pride in their work, and we're glad to support them.

Our customers love the outdoors and respect nature, engaging in activities like hiking, biking, gardening, and cooking fresh food. They come from diverse backgrounds, mostly in North America but with roots worldwide, and they value their heritage and others’ traditions.

They prefer responsibly sourced, non-toxic, durable, and energy-efficient materials, often choosing natural or reclaimed products like bamboo, cork, sheep wool, or clay plaster. These choices reduce environmental impact and operating costs while creating healthy, inspiring spaces.

We're proud to be their trusted partner for sustainable building products.

Our Professional Partners

Our professional customers, contractors, tradespeople, designers, and architects represent the heart of sustainable building innovation. These skilled professionals are master craftsmen, carpenters, woodworkers, roofers, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC experts who have embraced environmental responsibility as a standard practice.

They understand that building green isn’t just a trend—it’s a responsibility. They select materials that are non-toxic, durable, and efficient, helping clients achieve superior performance while reducing a project’s environmental footprint. Many have introduced innovative, sustainable materials into their local markets, proving that craftsmanship and conscience can thrive side by side.

In addition to technical expertise, our professional customers are visionaries who design and build spaces that inspire—structures that honor people, protect ecosystems, and improve community well-being. Whether they’re specifying bamboo flooring, clay plaster, hemp insulation, or low-VOC coatings, they know that every choice matters to both their clients and the planet.

We’re proud to partner with these forward-thinking builders and designers who bring leadership, integrity, and craftsmanship to the green building movement. Together, we’re shaping a more sustainable future—one project at a time.

Green, Greener, Greenest  

Wherever you are on the spectrum, we support your effort and would be honored to help you achieve your green goals.

One of our top priorities is to select and sell high-quality products that genuinely have a positive environmental impact. We place great value on our connection with you, our customers, and understand that many of you rely on us to carefully check product quality. We expect you to be just as critical with us as we are with our brands.

There are many factors to consider when deciding which products to represent. Nevertheless, we put our detective caps on and apply rigorous standards to everything we sell. If a product doesn’t meet our green standard, we simply won’t offer it. No exceptions.

That said, we aren't purest. We embrace the full spectrum of green products, allowing customers to select what aligns best with their personal goals. Some can tolerate cooler conditions and a bit of chill, while others require consistent warmth and efficient heating. Our aim is to meet everyone where they are and support their progress, whether their path is green, greener, or greenest. Every step forward is a victory for the planet.

Our Vendor Profile

At Eco Building Products, we partner exclusively with vendors who share our commitment to integrity, responsibility, and sustainable innovation. Our suppliers operate with the highest environmental and ethical standards, manufacturing products from safe, non-toxic materials using energy-efficient processes that minimize waste and reuse by-products wherever possible. Many of our partners are industry pioneers—leaders who developed breakthrough technologies and brought first-of-their-kind products to market. Backed by outstanding technical and customer support, these partnerships allow us to offer construction materials that perform beautifully while protecting the planet. We are proud to stand behind every brand we represent with complete confidence.

Our Social Impact

We support a full constellation of organizations to create a broad, interlocking safety net for people and the planet. Together, these organizations address urgent crises, long-term human rights, local community resilience, and ecological health in ways that reinforce one another across scales and geographies.
Global relief, health, and human rights
At the global level, UN Crisis Relief channels fast, flexible funding to people caught in conflicts and disasters, ensuring food, water, shelter, and protection reach those who need it most. Doctors Without Borders delivers impartial, emergency medical care in more than 70 countries for people affected by war, epidemics, disasters, and exclusion from healthcare. Amnesty International USA defends fundamental human rights—researching abuses, mobilizing grassroots pressure, and advocating for people whose freedoms are under threat. UNICEF works so every child can grow up healthy, educated, protected, and respected, especially in the world’s toughest places.
Food, shelter, and basic dignity
World Central Kitchen shows up first on the frontlines of humanitarian and climate crises with nourishing, locally prepared meals that provide comfort, hope, and economic support to affected communities. Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build and repair decent, affordable homes, creating stability, equity, and opportunity for families around the world. Housing Trust of Benzie County extends that same vision locally by expanding access to safe, attainable housing in its region, helping neighbors live and work in the communities they love.
Defending air, water, land, and climate
Earthjustice uses the power of the law to safeguard clean air, clean water, wildlife, and a stable climate—enforcing science-based environmental protections and pushing for a just, zero‑carbon future. FLOW Water Advocates defends the Great Lakes as a public trust, working for water justice, stronger groundwater protections, and climate‑resilient policies that keep freshwater healthy and accessible for all. Groups like The Nature Conservancy, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, NMEAC, Crystal Lake & Betsie watershed organizations, and local trail groups protect land, shorelines, wildlife habitat, and outdoor access, ensuring that natural systems can continue to support both biodiversity and human well‑being.
Culture, education, and resilient local communities
Regional organizations such as Interlochen Public Radio, Garden Theater, Oliver Art Center, and local labor and heritage centers keep arts, culture, history, and informed journalism alive, strengthening civic life and shared understanding in their communities. Nonprofits like Groundwork Center, Crosshatch, SEEDS, Grow Benzie, Title Track, and similar regional partners cultivate local food systems, climate solutions, youth programs, and creative community projects that tie economic health to ecological stewardship. Recreation and youth‑focused clubs such as Crystal Community Ski Club and GMNC build confidence, health, and connection to winter landscapes, helping the next generation develop a lived relationship with the outdoors they’re being asked to protect.
In Summary
Taken together, this network of global and local organizations meets people at nearly every layer of need: from emergency relief and medical care to human rights and children’s futures, from clean water and climate action to land conservation, arts, and outdoor access. Supporting them is a way of investing in a world where humanity is safer, freer, more creative, and more deeply rooted in a thriving natural environment.

Our Environmental Impact

Eco-BuildingProducts’ intends to leave the planet better than we found it. Every day we operate, we nudge the built environment toward a more sustainable lifestyle and living environment by making it easier to choose smart, efficient, truly sustainable building materials. We believe the construction and housing industries can do much better by choosing to install materials today to create a more viable world for the generations to come.

Our products lean heavily toward the good stuff: high-quality, long-lasting, non-toxic materials made from rapidly renewable resources and recycled content that keep waste down, indoor air and water clean, and energy and water use in check over the life of a building. From weatherization to energy-saving systems, we help people cut heating and cooling loads while making their spaces more comfortable and resilient. Even though we’re retailers, we’re big on moderation when it comes to purchasing. We encourage folks to buy less but better, and to choose materials that honor ecosystems, biodiversity, and the web of life we’re all part of.

We put our money and our muscle where our values are. Our Arbor Day Tree Planting Celebration funnels 1% of our annual gross profits into getting thousands of trees into the ground in Michigan’s northwest lower peninsula and beyond—real trees, real soil, real carbon pulled out of the atmosphere. Our Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Partnership (EP3) gives our professional partners meaningful discounts when they not only order more, but also specify a wider variety of greener products across categories, multiplying the positive impact of every job they touch. And because we love living in sync with the seasons, we align our main sales and promotions with the Solstices and Equinoxes, inviting our community to kick off projects that follow the Earth's natural rhythms.

From our small, hands-on crew to our close relationships with like‑minded vendors and customers, we’re constantly “living, breathing, and building change”—protecting habitats, pushing back against mindless consumerism, and championing simpler, more sustainable ways of living and building. We imagine vibrant, grounded communities that thrive by living within their means and leaning into lifestyles that flow with the planet’s natural cycles, even as we face some of the biggest environmental challenges of our time.

Arbor Day, Our Tree Planting Celebration

Eco Building Products has chosen to make Arbor Day its primary environmental impact mission, and contributing 1% of its annual gross profits to plant thousands of trees in the lower northwest peninsula of Michigan aligns with its company values and commitment to sustainability. Arbor Day is a unique secular holiday dedicated to encouraging individuals and communities to plant and care for trees. Unlike many holidays that look back on historical events, Arbor Day is inherently forward-looking, symbolizing hope for the future through the simple, powerful act of planting trees. Its core meaning lies in celebrating the immense value trees bring to the environment, our communities, and generations yet to come. Trees provide clean air and water, protect healthy soil, support biodiversity, and play a crucial role in combating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide.
The purpose of Arbor Day is to promote tree planting and raise awareness of the vital role trees play in maintaining ecological balance and supporting human and wildlife health. Established in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska, Arbor Day led to the planting of over one million trees on its very first observance and has since inspired similar celebrations and reforestation efforts worldwide. The holiday encourages community involvement, educates the public—especially children—about environmental stewardship, and inspires action against deforestation and environmental degradation.

Eco Building Products (EBP) has chosen Arbor Day as its primary environmental mission because the holiday’s spirit aligns perfectly with our company’s values and commitment to sustainability. We believe that planting and nurturing trees is one of the most direct and impactful ways to invest in the planet’s health, strengthen communities, and leave a positive legacy for future generations. Trees are at the heart of environmental well-being, and supporting Arbor Day allows us to make a tangible difference.

To put this commitment into action, EBP donates 1% of its annual gross profits to plant thousands of coniferous and deciduous trees in the lower northwest peninsula of Michigan. This ongoing initiative not only helps restore local forests and enhance biodiversity but also supports efforts to combat climate change and environmental degradation. By making Arbor Day central to our environmental mission, EBP is proud to foster community involvement, promote environmental education, and work towards a healthier, greener future for all.

Our Flagship Solstice & Equinox Celebration Sales

Eco Building Products makes it simple for customers to save on green building supplies with our popular seasonal celebration sales. Every year, we celebrate the Winter and Summer Solstices and the Spring and Fall Equinoxes with special sales events. These are timed to help you get ready for the changing seasons, featuring products perfect for projects before and after each season. Here is a link to this Season's Best Deals!

During our Winter and Summer Solstice Sales, you may find discounts on items that prepare you for extreme cold or hot weather. So, products like our sheep wool insulation or energy recovery ventilators might be on sale. For the Spring and Fall Equinox sales, we focus on durable, long-lasting outdoor deck stains and finishes, as well as non-toxic exterior sealants for your ornamental and edible raised-bed home gardens to get ready for summer.

Each sale is carefully curated to offer high-quality, environmentally friendly building materials for both DIY homeowners and professional contractors.

By aligning these sales with the solstices and equinoxes, Eco Building Products helps customers save on items for their upcoming projects while promoting an eco-conscious, sustainable approach to building and renovating.

Meet the Team

Small company. Big heart.

Jim Barnes

Owner

Our leader, Jim Barnes is an American entrepreneur, restaurateur, and sustainability-focused business owner known for his decades of work in Northern Michigan’s food service and green building industries. He is the founder and owner of Eco-Building Products, Inc., a company recognized for its leadership in sustainable construction materials and its strong environmental advocacy.

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Josh Piersma

Sales Consultant | Webmaster

Josh is the one to call when you need customer support, technical assistance, and inside sales expertise for flooring, kitchen, bath, paints, stains, and caulks. A family man through and through, Josh is driven by a passion to provide healthier living and environmental preservation for the next generation. Outside of ECO, you won't be surprised to find Josh spending time in nature with family, hiking, or working on his photography.

Justin Dunaway

Operations Manager | Inside Sales

Justin is all about forging genuine connections, believing that every interaction has the potential to create growth and understanding. As Operations Manager and Inside Sales lead for ECO, Justin is dedicated to helping individuals with chemical sensitivities by introducing them to healthier, eco-friendly building products. When he's not busy helping customers, he's enjoying another profound connection—this one to the great outdoors—by camping, backpacking, mountain biking, running, or skiing.

Tyler Tafelsky

SEO & Content

Tyler, our Internet Marketing Manager, combines a love for writing, blogging, and digital strategy with a keen interest in environmental sustainability. In his free time, Tyler enjoys spending time with loved ones, bikepacking on Michigan's backroads, swimming, trail running, hiking, and camping. At ECO, Tyler gets to work with a like-minded team to inspire greener, more sustainable living spaces.

Kelley DeVine

Marketing & Design

Kelley brings a creative flair to the sustainably sourced table. Passionate about communicating the need for hope, resiliency, and creativity amidst environmental degradation, Kelley showcases the latest green innovations through newsletters and product review exchanges. Outside of work, Kelley taps into full-hearted joy through hiking, yoga, art, literature, and soaking up the sunshine.

Bailey Barnes

Accounts & Social Media

Bailey is our beloved Bookkeeper and Social Media Coordinator. She's the rockstar to know if you have any billing/invoicing questions or want to creatively collaborate. While she appreciates her role at EBP for our emphasis on green solutions, she is also called to jewelry-making in the sunshine, walking her Pomeranian, Daisy, and swimming in Lake Michigan.

A Tribute to John Newton Barnes

In July 2024, I was assigned the task of updating Eco Building Products' 18 year old Mission and Vision Statement.  While creating them, I found the language that I was using was the same language that my family, friends and I often use to describe my brother, John. Realizing this connection, I felt compelled to share a little background about him and this song, Saint Johnny. Unfortunately for our natural world and all of humanity, John died at only age 24. 

John Newton Barnes was passionate about a few things that he chose to humbly share. His ingenuity was profound and infectious, so people listened. His words of wisdom about building community and caring for Mother Earth were insightful, enlightening and inspirational. I am proud that Eco Building Products' mission and vision are intrinsically aligned with his heart felt principles and values.

Jim Barnes | Owner