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I created this glossary to help you navigate through all the eco terms I could think of. There are so many “eco” terms out there. Some terms can be deceiving and some are often used incorrectly. I hope you find this glossary useful and let me know in the comments if I’ve missed anything out.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Alternative energy – Environmentally friendly energy created from renewable sources such as wind power or solar energy, not fossil fuels.
Alternative fuels – Similar to above. Usually environmentally friendly fuel like natural gas, methanol or biofuels. Basically an alternative to traditional fuels such as petrol or diesel.
Aluminium – Accounts for approximately 8% of the Earth’s crust and is an infinitely recyclable material. It takes up to 95% less energy to recycle it than to produce primary aluminium, which also limits emissions, including greenhouse gases. According to the International Aluminium Institute, today, about 75% of all aluminium produced in history, nearly a billion tonnes, is still in use. The recycling of aluminium generally produces significant cost savings over the production of new aluminium, even when the cost of collection, separation and recycling are taken into account.
Antimicrobial – A natural or synthetically-derived chemical additive incorporated into or onto product surfaces to prevent microbial growth, odours and stains.
B
Bagasse – A fibrous material made from recycled sugarcane. Once sugarcane has been pressed for its juice and syrup, the dry fibre left behind can be heat and pressure moulded to create bagasse products. It’s great for the environment as it is made from both a renewable resource and a waste product. This means fewer raw materials will need to be harvested and even less waste is produced from manufacturing processes. Bagasse is completely compostable in industrial composting facilities.
Bamboo – A grass, however many of the larger bamboos are very tree-like in appearance and are sometimes called “bamboo trees”. It requires no fertiliser and self-regenerates from its own roots, so it doesn’t need to be replanted. Bamboo as a plant is naturally pest-resistant, 100% biodegradable, anti-fungal, antibacterial, and regrows to its adult size in 3 to 5 years. It’s very sustainable compared to cotton, wood, and similar plants, however, bamboo products are only eco-friendly as long as they haven’t been chemically processed. Converting bamboo into fabric involves using multiple chemicals. Bamboo products like cutlery, chopping boards, serving trays, cups, bowls, utensils, containers, and almost anything else, are usually eco-friendly. However, for bamboo fabric like towels, blankets, bedsheets and clothes, you should check to see if the manufacturer is “green” and avoids the use of harsh chemicals.
Bio-based product – A product that is wholly or partly produced from materials of biological origin (renewable agricultural, forestry or marine materials). As they are derived from renewable raw materials such as plants, bio-based products can help reduce CO2 and offer other advantages such as lower toxicity or novel product characteristics (e.g. biodegradable plastic materials).
Bioplastics– Usually made from plant biomass, such as corn starch, sugar cane or wheat, and should completely break down biologically or be compostable (but often are not home-compostable).
Biodegradable – Something that can be decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms and therefore avoiding pollution.
Biodiversity – The term used to define the incredible number of different living creatures of organisms that populate every corner of the planet, and that have adapted even to the most extreme environments. The elements of biodiversity can be subdivided into three different levels:
- Genetic-level
- Species-level
- Ecosystem-level
Biofuel – A fuel produced from dry organic matter or combustible oils produced by plants. Examples of biofuel include alcohol (from fermented sugar), black liquor from the paper manufacturing process, wood, and soybean oil.
Biogas – A renewable energy source. It’s a mixture of gases (usually consisting of methane and other constituents) produced from the decomposition of organic waste in the absence of oxygen. Biogas can be produced from raw materials such as agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste or food waste.
Biological contaminants – Agents derived from living organisms (e.g., viruses, bacteria, fungi, and mammal and bird antigens) that can create or worsen allergic reactions, respiratory disorders, hypersensitivity diseases and infectious diseases. Also referred to as “micro-biologicals” or “microbials.”
Biomass – Organic material that comes from agricultural crops and waste, sewage, municipal solid waste, animal residues (such as manure and liquid manure), industrial residues and forestry crops. It can be burnt directly to produce heat or electricity or can be converted into biogas that is burnt as fuel or used to produce both heat and electricity.
Biomimicry – The study of nature and imitation of its forms. Learning from and then emulating nature’s patterns and strategies, in order to create products and processes that are well-adapted to life on earth.
Bonded leather – Also called “reconstituted leather” or “blended leather”. It is made as a layered structure of a fibre or paper covered with a layer of shredded leather fibres and mixed with a polyurethane binder that is embossed with a leather-like texture. According to some sources, it’s environmentally friendly as it reuses leftover leather and reduces landfill waste. However, it is also difficult or impossible to repair or recondition after wear or damage and typically not as durable as genuine leather. The actual leather content of bonded leather varies depending on the manufacturer. In 2011, the European Committee For Standardisation stated the minimum amount of 50% in weight of dry leather is needed to use the term “bonded leather”. The US Federal Trade Commission recommends giving a percentage of leather included.
Blackwater – Wastewater generated by toilets.
C
Cap and trade (CAT) – A government environmental policy designed to cap the level of emissions of certain chemicals (particularly carbon dioxide), providing flexibility in how organisations comply. These programmes reward innovation, efficiency and early action, and provide strict environmental accountability without inhibiting economic growth.
Compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) – Energy-saving light bulbs that fit into a standard light bulb sockets and use a fraction of the energy of their incandescent counterparts.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) – Man-made chemical compounds containing carbon, chlorine, fluorine and sometimes hydrogen. They have been banned since 1996 because they damage the earth’s ozone layer.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) – A naturally occurring greenhouse gas. It’s produced during the decay of organic materials and also occurs following the fermentation of sugars in bread, beer and winemaking. It’s also a product of the combustion of wood and other organic materials and fossil fuels such as coal, peat, petroleum and natural gas.
Carbon footprint – The sum of CO2 produced directly and indirectly by human activities, measured in tons of carbon dioxide. It includes energy use in business and domestic environments, and travel. You can calculate your carbon footprint here.
Carbon monoxide – A colourless, odourless, highly toxic gas commonly created during combustion.
Carbon neutral – A status earned when a person or organisation has a 100% carbon offset. It is achieved by calculating the carbon footprint and reducing it to zero through a combination of efficiency measures and supporting external emission reduction projects that reduce CO2 in amounts equal to what is being emitted.
Carbon offset – The balancing of carbon dioxide emissions created by personal or business activities, vehicle emissions or travel. It’s achieved through carbon neutralising activities such as planting trees or other projects which reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
Carbon rationing – Limiting the amount of carbon you generate and use each year.
Carbon sink – Anything that absorbs more carbon than it releases as carbon dioxide. Oceans, forests and peat bogs are carbon sinks.
Carbon tax – A type of pollution tax on the production, distribution or use of fossil fuels based on how much carbon their combustion emits. The government sets a price per tonne on carbon, then translates it into a tax on electricity, natural gas or oil.
Climate change – A controversial term concerning a change in temperature and weather patterns, with the debate centring on whether it is a natural shift or man-made.
Compost – Organic matter consisting of decomposed food waste, leaves, animal manure and garden waste. Compost is rich in nutrients, making it extremely useful for fertilising soil.
Compostable – A product that biodegrades into nutrient-rich compost that can be used as fertiliser. Beware, some products that are compostable are not suitable for home composting and require commercial composting facilities.
Composting – A process whereby organic waste (including food and paper) decomposes naturally, under specific conditions, such as at a certain temperature or within a set timeframe, when exposed to the correct balance of microbes, moisture, oxygen and warmth. The process results in compost.
Conservation – Maintaining, preserving, protecting and restoring habitats as well as protecting biological diversity and species from extinction.
Corn plastic – A bioplastic derived from corn. It is 100% biodegradable.
Cradle-to-Cradle – The design of products and systems that attempts to mimic nature’s processes, viewing materials as nutrients that circulate in healthy, safe metabolisms. In nature, when a tree or animal dies or creates waste, that waste breaks down and becomes nutrients for another process, is one example.
Cradle-to-Grave – A firm’s perspective on the environmental impact created by their products or activities from the beginning of the product lifecycle to its disposal at the end of its intended life.
Crystallised polylactic acid (CPLA) – A form of polylactic acid (see PLA below) that has been crystallised for added strength and heat resistance. The main difference between PLA and CPLA is that PLA is more suited for cold use, while CPLA products are better used with hot food and drink. Like PLA, CPLA is made entirely from plant-based materials and is completely compostable in industrial facilities.
D
DEFRA – The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the British government authority responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities.
Down-cycling – Breaking an item down into its component elements or materials. Once the elements or materials are recovered, they are reused if possible to create new products of lesser economic value.
E
Earth Day – A globally-celebrated day designed to inspire awareness, appreciation and support for the environment. It is celebrated annually on April 22. The first Earth Day was in 1970.
Earth Overshoot Day (EOD) – Also known as Ecological Debt Day (EDD), is the calculated calendar date on which humanity’s resource consumption for the year exceeds Earth’s capacity to regenerate those resources that year.
Earth-friendly – See “environmentally friendly”.
Eco-bag – Ethically sourced and organically made bags to use instead of plastic carrier bags.
Eco-conscious – To have an understanding of the effect your actions have on the planet, and to change your behaviours to have a more positive environmental impact.
Eco-friendly – See “environmentally friendly”.
Eco-mode – In cars, its function is to alter certain mechanical features. It’s mainly used while driving so that maximum miles can be covered with a litre of fuel. In washing machines or dishwashers, the setting uses lower wash and rinse temperatures so less energy is required for heating, and it minimises the amount of water required while still achieving a satisfactory threshold for dirt removal. These cycles are usually longer.
Ecotourism/eco-tourism – A form of tourism that involves visiting fragile, pristine, usually protected and relatively undisturbed natural areas. Its purpose is to educate the traveller; provide funds for conservation; directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities; and foster respect for different cultures and for human rights. It’s usually a low-impact and often small-scale alternative to standard commercial mass tourism.
Ecological footprint – The impact of human activities on the environment. It’s a method of gauging humans’ dependence on natural resources by calculating how much of the environment is needed to sustain a particular lifestyle. In other words, it measures the demand versus the supply of nature. You can calculate your ecological footprint here.
Ecosystem – A community of living organisms (plants, animals and microbes) that interact with each other, as well as the non-living environments (weather, earth, sun, soil, climate, atmosphere), in a particular area.
Emission – An emission is anything that’s been released out into the open but often refers to gases being released into the air, like greenhouse gasses or emissions from power plants and factories.
Emissions cap – A limit placed on a company regarding the amount of greenhouse gases it can emit.
End-of-life – The point at which a product is no longer useful, and the beginning of the process in which it is reused, recycled or permanently disposed of.
Energy Star – A programme run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy to promote energy efficiency. Energy Star provides information on the energy consumption of products and devices using standardised methods. Products carrying the Energy Star logo generally use 20%–30% less energy than required by federal standards.
Energy-efficient – Products and systems that use less energy to perform as well or better than standard products. While energy-efficient products sometimes have higher up-front costs, they tend to cost less over their lifetime when the cost of energy consumed is factored in.
Energy-saving grant – Money awarded, usually by governments or energy companies, to help improve the efficiency of homes and use less energy.
Energy-saving lightbulbs – Lightbulbs which use far less energy than conventional bulbs, for example, LED lightbulbs.
Environmental citizenship – The idea that each of us is an integral part of a larger ecosystem and we have a collective and individual responsibility to leave our planet a better place, progressively, for each generation to follow. That our future depends on each one of us embracing the challenge and acting responsibly and positively toward our environment, making changes in our daily lives to be environmental citizens all day, every day.
Environmental cost – Term can be used in multiple ways; including the costs connected with the actual or potential deterioration of natural assets due to economic activities (such as the Polar ice caps melting). Can also be viewed from an accounting perspective, namely costs associated with economic units actually or potentially causing environmental deterioration by their own activities. Can also be viewed as costs incurred by economic units independently of whether they have actually caused the environmental impacts.
Environmentally friendly – Earth-friendly or not harmful to the environment. Also eco-friendly, nature-friendly, and green are words used to refer to products, processes or services considered to inflict minimal or no harm on the environment.
Environmentally-preferable – Products or services that have a less harmful or negative impact on the environment.
F
Fairtrade – An arrangement created to help producers in developing countries obtain better trading conditions. It’s about helping poorer communities across the globe support themselves through sustainable businesses. Fairtrade-certified businesses do not exploit their workforce, do not use child labour and offer employees a fair wage and working conditions.
Fast Fashion – An approach to the design, creation, and marketing of clothes that emphasizes making fashion trends quickly and cheaply available to consumers so that people can buy new clothes often. All of the elements of fast fashion: trend replication, rapid production, low quality, and competitive pricing, add up to a large impact on the environment and the people involved in its production.
Flexitarian diet – A semi-vegetarian diet, is one that is centred around plant foods with the occasional inclusion of meat.
Fluorocarbon – A non-flammable, heat-stable hydrocarbon liquid or gas, in which some or all hydrogen atoms have been replaced by fluorine atoms. As with CFC’s, fluorocarbons are traditionally used as propellants (spray cans) and are classified as ozone-depleting substances.
Fly ash – Also known as “pulverised fuel ash” in the UK. A fine dust resulting from the combustion of coal in furnaces and kilns. Ash that falls to the bottom of a boiler’s combustion chamber is called “bottom ash”. It’s often used as a filler material in concrete, but the safety of fly ash in concrete is hotly debated.
Free-range – Free range may apply to meat, eggs or dairy farming. Commonly believed to refer to farm-dwelling animals that can freely move around and are not kept in cages, but actually it’s not that simple. What constitutes raising an animal “free-range” in some countries is almost entirely decided by the producer of that product. Often, there is no limit on flock size, a fact exploited by some producers, and beak trimming is commonly practised.
Fossil fuels – Natural fuels such as coal, oil or gas, formed from the remains of living organisms. Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and contributes to the greenhouse effect.
Fruitarian – A person who eats only fruit.
Fruitarianism – A subset of veganism that consists entirely or primarily of fruits in the botanical sense, and possibly nuts and seeds. Some fruitarians only eat fruit that has fallen onto the ground, rather than fruits that have been picked. Others won’t eat any seeds, because these have the capacity to become living plants.
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) – An international, non-profit organisation established in 1993 to promote the practice of sustainable forestry management of the world’s forests. The FSC sets standards on forest products, along with certifying and labelling them as eco-friendly.
Fuel cell – An electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of fuel or gas into electrical power. Fuel cell power is cleaner than grid-connected power sources, as the products of the reaction in the cell are water, electricity, and heat.
Fuel efficiency – A form of thermal efficiency, concerning the ratio from the effort to result of a process that converts chemical potential energy contained in a carrier (fuel) into kinetic energy or work. Overall fuel efficiency may vary per device, which in turn may vary per application. In the automotive sector, it’s a measure of how far a vehicle can travel per unit of fuel. In the UK, this is expressed as “miles per gallon” (MPG). Fuel-efficient vehicles, therefore, require less fuel to go a given distance.
G
Geothermal energy – Heat from the sub-surface of the earth. Water and/or steam carry the geothermal energy to the surface. Depending on its characteristics, it can be used to warm or cool or be harnessed to generate clean electricity.
Glass recycling – Turning waste glass into usable products. To be recycled, glass waste is sorted by colour and washed to remove any impurities. It is then crushed, melted and moulded into new products such as bottles and jars. Glass can be recycled endlessly.
Global warming – The long-term increase in the average temperature of the earth, often attributed to the burning of fossil fuels. “Global warming” and “climate change” as terms are often used interchangeably.
Global Warming Potential (GWP) – A measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere up to a specific time horizon, relative to carbon dioxide. It allows comparisons of the global warming impacts of different gases.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) – The leading textile processing standard for organic fibres. Every step of a supply chain, from harvesting through production, processing, manufacturing and labelling is checked. GOTS-approved products must contain at least 70% organic fibre content, no potentially harmful chemicals, and producers must have safe working conditions, no discrimination and no child labour. GOTS-approved products have the entire supply chain verified, and even the farms must have certification to a legally-recognised standard.
Gravity-Film Heat Exchanger (GFX) – A technology that transfers the heat from drained waste hot water to preheat water in a separate tank.
Greywater – Wastewater generated from sinks or activities such as laundry, dishwashing, showering and bathing, which can be recycled on-site for uses such as landscape irrigation, and constructed wetlands.
Green – An adjective used to describe people, behaviours, products, policies, standards, processes, places, movements or ideas that promote, protect, restore or minimise damage to the environment.
Green design – An architectural approach to building that conforms to environmentally-sound principles of building, material and energy use. It helps minimise the harmful effects of construction projects on human health and the environment. The “green” architect or designer attempts to safeguard air, water, and earth by choosing eco-friendly building materials and construction practices. A green building, for example, might also make use of solar panels, skylights, and recycled building materials.
Greed Dot – Most people think this means the packaging or product is recyclable. However, the Green Dot means that for such packaging a financial contribution has been paid to a qualified national packaging recovery organization set up in accordance with the principles defined in European Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62 and the respective national law.
Green fatigue – To tire of messages of corporate green credentials and tales of impending global doom.
Green jobs – Employment that contributes substantially to preserving or restoring the environment, be it in traditional sectors such as manufacturing and construction, or in new, emerging green sectors such as renewable energy and energy efficiency. Specifically, but not exclusively, this includes jobs that help to protect ecosystems and biodiversity, reduce energy, materials, and water consumption through high-efficiency strategies and minimise or altogether avoid the creation of all forms of waste and pollution.
Green tag – In the US, a green tag, or Renewable Energy Certificate (REC), represents the environmental attributes created when electricity is generated using renewable resources instead of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. REC power can be sold separately from associated electricity and enable customers to ‘green’ the electricity they consume from their retail power supplier(s).
Green vehicle – A clean vehicle/eco-friendly vehicle/environmentally-friendly vehicle is a road vehicle that is less harmful to the environment than comparable conventional internal combustion engine vehicles running on gasoline or diesel, or one that uses alternative fuels.
Greenwashing – Marketing and PR spin to persuade the public that a company’s products, services or policies have been deceptively improved for environmental reasons. For example, by presenting cost cuts as reductions in use of resources, or spending significantly more money or time on advertising being “green” (i.e. operating with consideration for the environment), than is actually spent on environmentally-sound practices.
Green wedding – A wedding ceremony with the least environmental impact possible.
Greenhouse effect – Caused by increased quantities of gases such as CO2 in the air. These gases trap heat inside the atmosphere, which cause the earth’s surface to warm up.
Greenhouse gases (GHG) – Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. These include carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, nitrous oxide, etc.
H
Heat Island Effect – When warmer temperatures are experienced in urban landscapes compared to adjacent rural areas, due to human activities and solar energy retention on constructed surfaces. Surfaces that contribute to the heat island effect include streets, pavements, car parks and buildings. In rural areas, trees, green roofs, reflective colouring, vegetated landscaping, and bodies of water mitigate a heat island effect. The temperature difference is usually larger at night than during the day.
Hemp – One of the most versatile plants. Stronger than cotton, and requires considerably fewer pesticides and herbicides than cotton when grown on a large scale.
Home compostable – Items that can be placed in a home compost bin along with fruit and vegetables. Any component or material used in the packaging including the printing ink and the adhesives decomposes into the soil.
Hybrid – Also known as “Hybrid Vehicles”, hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs), use less fuel and produce less pollution compared to conventional vehicles of similar size. They use a fuel engine to power an electric generator. The generator, together with storage batteries, powers electric motors that move the vehicle’s wheels.
Hydroelectric energy – Or “hydroelectric power” or “hydroelectricity”, is a form of energy that harnesses the power of moving water, such as water flowing over a waterfall, to generate electricity.
Hydrofluorocarbons – (HFCs) are super greenhouse gases, manufactured for use in refrigeration, air conditioning, foam blowing, aerosols, fire protection and solvents.
I
Indoor Air Quality – The air quality inside buildings and around structures that is affected by gases (including carbon monoxide, radon, volatile organic compounds), particulates, microbial contaminants (mould, bacteria), or any mass or energy stressor that can induce harmful health conditions.
Industrial ecology – The study of industrial systems with the goal of finding ways to lessen their environmental impact. For example, by finding ways to use fewer natural resources and new uses for waste materials or byproducts.
In-vessel composting – The most common type of composting used to break down compostable packaging products. It takes place in an enclosed environment such as a drum, silo or trench, where organic waste is fed in and exposed to controlled oxygen, moisture, microbes and warmth. It is regularly turned to ensure the pile is aerated and that bacteria can break down all of the waste.
IPCC – The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a United Nations-commissioned international working group, formed in 1988. It assesses and supports research of climate change and its human causes, and produces occasional reports on climate science.
J
Jute – A long, soft, shiny vegetable fibre that can be spun into coarse, strong threads. It is one of the most affordable natural fibres, and second only to cotton in the amount produced and variety of uses. Since it reaches maturity in less than 6 months and offers large crop yield, it means less land is required compared to other crops and therefore reduces the need to encroach upon wilderness and natural habitats. Jute can be grown without the need to use pesticide or fertiliser. Where these chemicals are used Jute requires very little of them compared to other crops. Jute fibre is recyclable, entirely bio-degradable and compostable.
K
Kilowatt-hours (kWH) – A unit used to measure electricity and natural gas usage.
L
Landfill – A carefully designed structure built into, or on top of, the ground in which trash is isolated from the surrounding environment (groundwater, air, rain). Separation occurs through a bottom liner and daily covering of soil. A sanitary landfill uses a clay liner to isolate the trash from the environment. A municipal solid waste landfill uses a plastic liner to isolate the waste from the environment. Landfills are not designed to break down waste, merely to bury it.
Lead – A heavy metal that is denser than most common materials. It’s harmful to the environment and also toxic to humans.
LED / LED lighting – A “light-emitting diode” is a semiconductor light source that emits light when current flows through it. LEDs are better for the environment than traditional light bulbs. LEDs use less energy, are more efficient and last longer than incandescent bulbs.
Life cycle assessment – A technique to evaluate environmental costs associated with all the stages of the life-cycle of a product, process, or service.
Light pollution – The presence of artificial light in the night environment. It’s considered a negative side-effect of urbanisation, often blamed for compromising health, disrupting ecosystems and ruining aesthetic environments (residents of major cities complain they are unable to see stars in the sky).
Linen – One of the most biodegradable fabrics. It is strong, naturally moth resistant, and made from flax plant fibres, so when untreated (i.e. not dyed) it is fully biodegradable. Its natural colours include ivory, ecru, tan and grey. Considered an eco-friendly fabric because flax grows naturally and requires no additional water other than rainwater.
Locally sourced – A term used by restaurateurs and supermarkets to describe or label food products; beware, there is no agreed definition for the use of “local” Some stores may consider vegetables grown within 100 miles to fit the definition, while others may only include foods produced within a 10-mile radius. Buying locally sourced goods can theoretically reduce emissions and waste by eliminating unnecessary transport of goods.
Low-emission vehicles – Vehicles that emit fewer pollutants compared to their conventional engine counterparts.
Lyocell – Similar to viscose and modal, but made using a different solvent. Lyocell is produced in a solvent-spinning technique called dry jet-wet spinning. It is neither truly natural (like cotton, wool or silk) nor truly synthetic (like nylon or polyester) – it falls somewhere in between.
M
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) – An independent, non-profit British organisation which sets a standard for sustainable fishing. Seafood products can display the blue MSC label only if that seafood can be traced back through the supply chain to a fishery that has been certified against the MSC standard.
Microturbines – Small rotary engines (usually fuelled by natural gas) that provide on-site electricity generation.
Modal – A stronger version of viscose. Modal is often blended with other textiles, such as cotton and spandex, to make it even stronger. It is neither truly natural (like cotton, wool or silk) nor truly synthetic (like nylon or polyester) – it falls somewhere in between.
N
Natural – Existing in or derived from nature; not made or caused by humankind. When used commercially, “natural” doesn’t mean non-toxic or safe. Many bacteria, fungi and plants produce poisons, toxins and chemicals that, although “natural”, are definitely not for consumption.
Non-renewable resources – Fuels that are in limited supply, such as oil, coal, and natural gas.
Non-toxic – Products that do not contain poisonous or toxic materials that harm the environment or humans.
O
Offsetting – Calculating emissions and then purchasing equivalent “credits” from projects that prevent or remove the emissions of an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases elsewhere. An example is by taking a flight and in compensation paying a company to plant trees equal to the carbon emitted.
Oil – A liquid fossil fuel obtained from petroleum distillation that can be used to generate heat, in engines, or in the formation of other materials such as plastics.
Open-grid paving systems – Standard concrete blocks with a large percentage of the surface area as open or penetrable. The open area allows for vegetation to grow or water to penetrate the paving as opposed to normal paving (clay, concrete asphalt), which assists water running off the paving into stormwater systems. Using an open grid concrete block paving system eliminates heat build-up in pavements and roads, reducing the heat island effect.
Organic – Technically, molecules consisting of two or more atoms of carbon, but now generally used as a term for food grown without the use of artificial pesticides and fertiliser.
Organic Content Standard Certification (OCS) – A voluntary scheme for non-food products which verifies it has met organic standards throughout its journey from raw material to finished product.
Organic cotton – Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. It’s generally grown without the use of any synthetic agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers or pesticides besides the ones allowed by the certified organic labeling.
Organic farms – Organic farms can use pesticides. In the U.S., 25 synthetic pesticides are approved for organic use (compared with more than 900 in conventional agriculture). The toxicity of all pesticides used is reviewed by the National Organic Standards Board. In the EU, according to the pesticide approvals database, there are currently 490 substances approved for use as pesticides, of these only 28 are approved for use in organic agriculture.
Organic leather – Skins that are tanned using only vegetable extracts and no harmful chemicals (from animals that are organically fed and humanely raised). Organic leather is also non-allergenic. It has been discovered that normal chrome leather produces toxic chrome when incinerated, and when sent to landfill sites will not decompose fully.
Organic wool – The product of organically-reared sheep which are fed, sheltered and transported with consideration for their well-being. True organic farming supports better animal welfare.
Ozone layer – Earth’s protective barrier which occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere (about 15 miles above sea level) that shields the planet from the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. It contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) in relation to other parts of the atmosphere, but still small in relation to other gases in the stratosphere.
P
Palm leaf – The fallen leaves of palm trees are often used to make eco-friendly products. These trees naturally shed their leaves between four and seven times a year. The leaves can be collected, cleaned with water and heat pressed into different shapes and sizes. If no chemicals or coatings are used in the manufacturing process they will be completely organic, and biodegradable.
Palm oil – An edible vegetable oil derived from the mesocarp of the fruit of the oil palms. Its use is controversial as oil palms grow well in low-lying, tropical regions, which tend to house rainforests and peatlands. These treasured environments home an array of endangered species including orangutans, rhinos and tigers. The creation of massive plantations has meant rich ecosystems have been replaced with monocultures, known as “green deserts”, in which native animals and plants cannot thrive. To make way for palm plantations, tropical forests are often burned, thereby polluting the environment. Deforestation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Particulate – Microscopic particles of solid or liquid matter suspended in the air, such as dust, spore, pollen, dander, skin flakes, mite allergens, cell debris, mould, mildew, mineral fibres, etc. escaping from combustion processes. In some cases, they are small enough to be inhaled.
Perceived obsolescence – When a customer is convinced that they need an updated product, even though their existing product works well. This is often based on style/fashion rather than functionality.
Pescatarian – A vegetarian that also eats fish.
Photovoltaic panels – Solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity. Power is produced when sunlight strikes the semiconductor material and creates an electrical current.
Planned obsolescence – In industrial design and economics, planning or designing a product with an artificially-limited useful life, so that it becomes obsolete (or no longer functional) after a certain period of time. Not so soon that individuals blame the manufacturer, but soon enough to buy another one and generate their profit.
PLA – Polylactic acid is made from plant-based materials, most commonly corn starch. It looks and feels the same way as petroleum-based plastics. As PLA is made from plant-based materials, it can be fully composted in a commercial composting facility and will not take hundreds of years to break down. This makes it a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics.
Plastic – Man-made, durable and flexible, petrol-based product.
Plastic is divided into 7 categories:
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE or Polyester)
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polystyrene (PS)
- Other – miscellaneous plastics (includes: polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fibreglass, and nylon)
Plastic recycling – Which type of plastic can be recycled often depends on your local municipal authority.
Pre-consumer waste – Material that was discarded before it was ready for consumer use. Pre-consumer waste is the reintroduction of manufacturing scrap (such as trimmings from paper production, defective aluminium cans, etc.) back into the manufacturing process.
Post-consumer waste – Material that has served its intended purpose as a consumer item, and has been separated from other waste with the intent of recycling for re-use.
Q
R
Rainforest Alliance – An international non-profit organisation working at the intersection of business, agriculture, and forests to protect forests, improve the livelihoods of farmers and forest communities, promote their human rights, and help them mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis.
Reclaimed – Products that are made of materials that have been extracted from rubbish or waste.
Recyclable – Products or materials that can be recycled, or otherwise diverted from waste streams, instead of going straight to landfill. Some of the most common types of recyclable material include paper, cardboard, plastic and metal.
Rechargeable battery – Also known as a storage battery, uses electrochemical reactions that are electrically reversible. Rechargeable batteries come in many different sizes and use different combinations of chemicals. Compared to standard batteries, they have a higher initial cost, but offer economic and environmental benefits compared to disposable batteries. They can reduce toxic materials sent to landfills compared to an equivalent series of disposable batteries.
Reclaimed – Items or products made of materials that have been extracted from waste.
Recycled – Products and items made from used or waste materials that have been reprocessed for further use.
Recycled leather – see bonded leather
Recycled polyester – A yarn made out of recycled plastic. When recycling plastic bottles, they are cleaned and sterilized, before being crushed into small pellets. These pellets are turned into yarn that’s used to create the fabric.
Recycling – The physical process of collecting, sorting, and reprocessing old material into usable new materials and objects.
Recycling symbol – The “chasing arrows” symbol used to show that a product or package can be recycled. The three arrows on the symbol represent different components of the recycling process. The top arrow represents the collection of recyclable materials. The second arrow (bottom right) represents the recyclables being processed into recycled products and the third arrow (bottom left) represents when the consumer actually buys a product with recycled content.
Reduce – To use less of, or not use or buy certain products at all, in order to produce less waste, less recycling and less reusing.
Renewable – Replacing by natural ecological cycles or sound management practices at a faster rate than consumption by humans. Solar radiation, tides, winds and hydroelectricity are perpetual resources that are in no danger of a lack of long-term availability.
Renewable Energy Credits/Certificates – RECs are tradable commodities representing renewable energy. RECs are purchased in addition to grid electricity to offset non-renewable energy used with renewable sources. RECs fund renewable energy sources and contribute renewable energy to the national grid, thereby reducing fossil fuel-based energy production.
Renewable energy – Energy generated from resources such as wind power or solar energy that produces indefinitely, without being used up.
Renewable resource – A natural resource that can be used again and again (wind, water, solar), and will replenish the portion depleted by usage and consumption, either through natural reproduction or other recurring processes. Renewable resources are a part of our natural environment.
Repurposing – Cleaning or refurbishing, and then reusing, a product in its current or different form, thereby extending its useful life.
Reuse – The action of using an item again, whether for its original intended purpose or not.
Reusable – A product designed to last for a very long time. Reusing products reduces the consumption of single-use items, meaning less waste is sent to landfill, and less carbon and raw materials are required to make new goods.
S
SeaCell – A luxurious silky material made from seaweed and eucalyptus fibre. SeaCell is produced by smartfiber AG. The seaweed for SeaCell is harvested from the sparsely populated fjords of Iceland.
Slash and burn agriculture – The farming method of cutting and burning vegetation. The resulting layer of ash provides the newly-cleared land with a nutrient-rich layer to help fertilise crops.
Soil Association – The UK’s leading organic certifier, offering a huge range of organic and sustainable certification schemes across food, farming, catering, health and beauty, textiles and forestry.
Solar energy – Power generated from the Sun’s rays.
Solar heating – Heat from the Sun is absorbed, stored and transferred by pumps or fans to a storage unit for later use or transferred to water pumps for hot water. A solar thermal collector gathers heat by absorbing sunlight.
Solar panel – A device consisting of many photovoltaic cells, also known as solar cells, that absorb sunlight as a source of energy to generate electricity.
Soya bean/Soybean – A species of legume native to East Asia, which has numerous uses. Soya beans can be used as whole soya beans, soya sprouts, or processed as soya milk, tofu, tempeh, natto, soya sauce or miso. Soybeans are used as a replacement for intensively farmed meat and dairy products, however, environmental groups have reported the industrial cultivation of the plant has often come at the expense of rainforests or other protected or environmentally sensitive grounds.
Sulphur dioxide – A toxic, heavy, smelly gas (most commonly known as the smell of burnt matches). It’s released naturally by volcanic activity and is produced as a by-product of copper extraction and the burning of fossil fuels contaminated with sulphur compounds. It’s also used to make sulphuric acid, bleaching agents, preservatives and refrigerants and a major source of air pollution.
Sustainable – Something is environmentally sustainable if it causes little or no ecological damage to the environment and is therefore capable of being maintained at a steady level, without exhausting natural resources.
Sustainable material – Generated from resources that are managed in a sustainable way (i.e. the resource is not depleted). Examples of sustainable materials include bamboo, wood, hemp, wool, linen, straw, clay, stone, sand, beeswax, and coconut.
Sustainable timber – Wood that has been harvested responsibly from well-managed forests that are continuously replenished; and ensure that there is no damage to the surrounding environment, or to native flora and fauna.
T
Thermal energy – Power generated and measured by heat of any kind. It’s caused by the increased activity or velocity of molecules in a substance, which in turn causes the temperature to rise. There are many natural sources of thermal energy on earth, making it an important component of alternative energy.
TENCEL – The branded version of lyocell and modal. TENCEL is often considered the most sustainable way to produce cellulose fibre-based fabrics. It focuses on closed-loop production and using less resource-intensive processes.
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Upcycling – The process of transforming products, waste materials, useless or unwanted products into new materials or products of higher economic value and environmental.
U.S. Department of Energy – department of the US government concerned with the US’ policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material. Its responsibilities include the nation’s nuclear weapons program, energy conservation, energy-related research, radioactive waste disposal, and domestic energy production.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – An independent agency of the US federal government for environmental protection that conducts environmental assessment, research, and education. They are also responsible for maintaining and enforcing national standards under a variety of environmental laws, in consultation with state, tribal, and local governments.
V
Viscose – Known as “rayon” in the U.S., viscose is regenerated cellulose fibre made from wood pulp or plants treated with chemicals, filtered, and then spun into thread. It is neither truly natural (like cotton, wool or silk) nor truly synthetic (like nylon or polyester), falling somewhere in-between. As viscose is made from renewable plants it is frequently cited as being environmentally friendly and sustainable. However, to create viscose, and make it stand up to regular wearing and washing, it must be chemically treated. The recycled wood pulp is exposed to harsh chemicals such as caustic soda, ammonia, acetone, and sulphuric acid. Viscose is, therefore, a fabric from a natural and sustainable source that is made with chemicals. Because viscose is made from cellulose, there is an argument to say that it is a more sustainable fibre than other synthetic fibres, such as polyester. Luckily, viscose is increasingly being manufactured using the Lyocell process. This uses N-Methylmorpholine N-oxide as the solvent. This method produces little waste products, making it far more eco-friendly.
Vegan – A person who does not eat or use animal products. Vegans also typically object to exploitative uses of animals, from animal testing to rodeos to zoos and dolphin shows.
Veganism – A way of living that seeks to exclude all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals, for food, clothing or any other purpose. A follower of the diet or the philosophy is known as a vegan.
Vermicomposting – The process whereby various species of worms, usually red wigglers, white worms, and other earthworms, feed on slowly decomposing materials (e.g., vegetable or food waste) in a controlled environment to produce nutrient-rich soil.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – Organic chemicals that easily become vapours or gases at household temperatures. They are found in many housekeeping, maintenance and building products made with organic chemicals. In sufficient quantities they can cause irritation, and some are carcinogenic, suspected of causing or exacerbating acute and chronic diseases. They can be found in paint strippers and other solvents, wood preservatives, aerosol sprays, cleansers and disinfectants, moth repellents and air fresheners, stored fuels, hobby supplies, etc…
W
Waste-to-Energy – WtE or energy-from-waste (EfW) is the process of burning waste to generate steam, heat or electricity.
Water Conservation – Using water efficiently, by reducing the usage and recycling of wastewater for different purposes like cleaning, manufacturing, agriculture etc.
WEEE – The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive is an EU law concerning collection, recycling and recovery targets for electrical goods. Ordinary consumers do not have to worry about complying with WEEE regulations; the onus is on businesses involved in the manufacture, distribution, storage, retailing and disposal of the equipment to be in compliance. The directive states that consumers will be able to return their equipment free of charge for recycling. Therefore, retailers selling electrical goods must provide their customers with a clear explanation of how they can return items which must be disposed of within the WEEE regulations – whether the old equipment was bought from them or not.
Wind power – Energy derived naturally from wind.
Wind turbine – A machine that converts the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy. If the mechanical energy is used directly by machinery, such as pumping water, cutting lumber or grinding stones, the machine is called a windmill. If the mechanical energy is converted to electricity, the machine is called a wind generator, wind turbine, wind power unit (WPU), wind energy converter (WEC), or aero generator.
Wood – A natural material that can be recycled in a variety of ways. It’s biodegradable and will eventually rot at the end of its useful life.
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I hope you found this eco glossary useful. Do let me know if you think it’s missing any terms!