Glossary of Eco related Definitions and Terms

Green Glossary

Demystify the terminology around sustainable and eco-conscious products, plastics and bags. Biodegradable plastics can wreck conventional plastic recycling systems, can give off methane when decomposing and have limited re-use options due to their shorter life.

Sustainable Options

One easy switch you can make is choosing biodegradable and compostable bags over conventional single-use plastic bags.

Biodegradable Additives

Substances added to plastics to enhance their biodegradability or compostability.

Biodegradable additives are chemical compounds incorporated into plastics to accelerate their breakdown when exposed to environmental conditions, facilitating their eventual decomposition into harmless substances.

Bio-Based

Materials or products derived from renewable biological sources, such as plants, algae, or microorganisms.

Bio-based materials and products are made from organic sources that can be naturally regenerated over time. They contribute to sustainability by reducing reliance on non-renewable resources like fossil fuels.

Bio-Plastic

Plastics derived from renewable biological sources, designed to be more environmentally friendly than traditional plastics.

Bio-plastics are a category of plastics made from bio-based materials like cornstarch, sugarcane, or potatoes. They are intended to offer a more sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional, petroleum-based plastics.

Biodegradable Film

Thin, flexible materials designed to decompose naturally, commonly used in packaging and agricultural applications.

Biodegradable films are lightweight, flexible materials used in various applications, including packaging and agriculture. They are formulated to break down naturally over time, reducing waste and environmental impact.

Bisphenol A

(4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol) – An intermediate used in the production of epoxy, polycarbonate, and phenolic resins. The name was coined after the condensation reaction by which it may be formed – two(bis) molecules of phenol with one of acetone (A).

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Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C)

A sustainable design framework that focuses on creating products with materials that can be continually recycled or biodegraded.

Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) is an approach to sustainability that aims to design products and systems in a way that allows their components to be reused, recycled, or biodegraded, promoting a circular economy.

Cellulose

A natural polymer found in the cell walls of plants, often used in biodegradable materials and packaging.

Cellulose is a complex carbohydrate and a primary structural component of plant cell walls. It is used to create biodegradable materials and packaging due to its renewable and compostable nature.

Cornstarch

A common bio-based material used in the production of biodegradable plastics and packaging.

Cornstarch is a natural carbohydrate obtained from corn kernels. It serves as a key ingredient in the production of biodegradable plastics and packaging, contributing to their eco-friendly properties.

Certification Mark

A recognizable symbol or logo on products indicating compliance with specific sustainability or biodegradability standards.

Certification marks are visual symbols or logos that appear on products to signal compliance with particular environmental or biodegradability standards. They help consumers make informed choices about sustainable products.

Compostable

The controlled decomposition of organic matter, such as food scraps and yard waste, to produce nutrient-rich compost used for soil enrichment. Composting is a process where organic materials, like kitchen scraps, leaves, and yard waste, are collected and allowed to decompose under controlled conditions. It results in the production of compost, a valuable soil conditioner and fertilizer.

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Compostable Plastics

Most compostable plastics are biobased (PLA, PHA, PBS, PBAF). However, some are fossil-based such as PBAT and PCL.

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Die-Cut Bag

A die cut bag is a plastic bag that has been specially shaped using a process called die cutting. This process uses custom steel blades to cut the bag into unique designs, shapes, and sizes.

Unlike regular plastic bags which are rectangular with straight edges, die cut bags can have curved edges, holes, cutouts, and other decorative effects. For example, a die cut bag may have scalloped edges or a design cut right into the plastic.

Disposable Cutlery

Single-use utensils typically made from biodegradable materials like cornstarch or bamboo.

Disposable cutlery refers to utensils like forks, knives, and spoons designed for one-time use. Many eco-friendly versions are made from biodegradable materials to reduce environmental impact.

Design for Environment (DfE)

A sustainable design approach that considers environmental impacts at every stage of product development.

Design for Environment (DfE) is an approach that emphasizes incorporating environmental considerations into the design and development of products, aiming to minimize their environmental footprint and maximize sustainability.

Decomposition Rate

The speed at which a material breaks down into simpler, environmentally benign components.

Decomposition rate measures how quickly a material can be broken down by natural processes like biodegradation or chemical reactions, impacting its environmental impact and lifecycle.

Disposable Diapers

Single-use baby diapers, often available in biodegradable and eco-friendly options.

Disposable diapers are single-use products used for infants. Biodegradable options are available, which are designed to break down more quickly than traditional disposable diapers, reducing landfill waste.

Eco-conscious

Describes individuals or organizations that prioritize environmentally responsible choices and actions.

Being eco-conscious means actively considering and making choices that are environmentally responsible. It involves awareness of the impact of one’s actions on the environment and taking steps to minimize negative effects, such as reducing energy consumption or supporting sustainable products.

Eco-labeling

The practice of labeling products with environmental information, such as biodegradability or sustainability certifications.

Eco-labeling involves affixing labels or logos on products to communicate their environmental attributes. These labels may indicate biodegradability, recyclability, energy efficiency, or compliance with specific sustainability standards. Eco-labeling helps consumers make informed choices that align with their environmental values.

Environmental Impact

The effect of human activities, products, or processes on the environment, including both positive and negative consequences.

Environmental impact encompasses the outcomes of human activities, whether beneficial or harmful, on the natural world. It includes factors such as pollution, resource consumption, habitat destruction, and the conservation of biodiversity. Understanding and mitigating negative environmental impacts are crucial for sustainable practices.

Environmental Regulations

Laws and policies established by governments to control and mitigate environmental issues and protect natural resources.

Environmental regulations are legal frameworks put in place by governments to address various environmental concerns, including air and water quality, waste management, wildlife conservation, and land use. These regulations aim to set standards, enforce compliance, and promote responsible environmental stewardship.

Glyphosate

Glysophate is a weed killer, used for decades, now viewed with controversy.

Green Chemistry

A field of chemistry focused on designing and producing chemicals and materials with minimal environmental impact.

Green chemistry, also known as sustainable chemistry, emphasizes the development of chemical processes and products that are environmentally sustainable. This approach aims to reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances in the production and use of chemicals and materials.

Green House Gas

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, as is methane and CFC’s.

Greenwashing

Deceptive marketing or branding that exaggerates or misrepresents a product’s environmental or sustainability attributes. Greenwashing is a deceptive practice where a company or product falsely portrays itself as environmentally friendly or sustainable to attract eco-conscious consumers. It involves making unsubstantiated claims about a product’s green credentials to boost sales, often without meaningful efforts toward sustainability.

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High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

High-Density Polyethylene HDPE is a versatile plastic made from petroleum. It is recyclable and used for a wide variety of common household and consumer products.

HDPE is stiff, strong, and moisture resistant. It can commonly be found in items like milk jugs, detergent bottles, juice bottles, butter tubs, yogurt cups, shampoo bottles, cereal box liners, and plastic bags. HDPE is also used for pipes, toys, buckets, crates, and synthetic fibers. The durability and protective qualities of HDPE make it useful for packaging liquids and other products safely.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

A comprehensive analysis of the environmental impact of a product or process throughout its entire life cycle.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a systematic approach to evaluating the environmental impact of a product, process, or service from its creation to disposal. It considers factors like resource extraction, manufacturing, transportation, use, and end-of-life management to assess its overall sustainability.

Landfill

A designated area for disposing of solid waste, where materials are buried or stored, often with long-term environmental implications.

A landfill is a site used for the disposal of solid waste, where garbage, trash, and other materials are buried or stored. Landfills can have significant environmental impacts, including the potential for groundwater contamination and the release of methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

A comprehensive analysis of the environmental impact of a product or process throughout its entire life cycle.

Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE).

LDPE is a flexible plastic derived from petroleum. It is recyclable and commonly used for plastic films, wraps, and shopping bags. LDPE is lightweight, moisture resistant, and transparent. It provides a good moisture barrier making it ideal for food packaging like bread bags and frozen food wrap. LDPE also is used for flexible bottles, tubing, dispensing bottles, and squeeze bottles. LDPE is increasingly being made into reusable shopping bags as an alternative to single-use plastic bags.

Though durable, opt for LDPE reusable bags over disposable versions when possible. This type od plastic is typically used for plastic/cling wrap, sandwich and bread bags, bubble wrap, garbage bags, grocery bags and beverage cups.

Methane

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is sometimes produced when plastics break down in landfills or the environment. Certain common plastics like polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) contain only carbon and hydrogen. When these plastics decompose anaerobically, meaning without oxygen, microbes can convert the hydrogen into methane gas.

The release of methane during plastic decomposition is very problematic, as plastic pollution and climate change exacerbate each other. That’s why reducing plastic waste through recycling, new bioplastics, and better disposal is important. Consumers can help mitigate plastic-related methane by properly disposing of plastics, limiting use, and choosing reusable alternatives.

Microplastics

Tiny plastic particles measuring less than 5mm in size often result from larger plastics’ fragmentation.

Microplastics are minuscule plastic particles that can originate from the breakdown of larger plastics or be intentionally manufactured at a small scale. They are a growing environmental concern due to their presence in water bodies and ecosystems, potentially harming wildlife and entering the food chain.

Oxo Bio Degradable

Oxo-biodegradable plastic is converted into organic materials that biodegrade completely. The plastic breaks down into organic materials like water, CO2, biomass

So oxo-biodegradable plastics are distinguished by undergoing complete biodegradation facilitated by additives, while oxo-degradable plastics just break into smaller plastic pieces.

Oxo Degradable

Oxo-degradable plastic only fragments but does not fully biodegrade and leaves microplastic fragments

Ozone Layer

The earths protective shield. Reducing the effects of ultaviolet rays.

PBAT

Polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate (PBAT) is a fossil-based compostable plastic.

PLA Plastic

PLA plastic is a vegetable-based plastic material, which commonly uses cornstarch as a raw material. PLA is biodegradable and eco-friendly.

Plastic Tax

A comprehensive analysis of the environmental impact of a product or process throughout its entire life cycle.

Polypropylene (PP)

Straws, bottle caps, prescription bottles, hot food containers, packaging tape, disposable diapers

Polyethylene

Collectively, Polyethylene is the most common plastics in the world, but it’s classified into three types: High-Density, Low-Density and Linear Low-Density.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET or PETE)

This is one of the most commonly used plastics. It’s lightweight, strong, typically transparent and is often used in food packaging and fabrics (polyester).

Polystyrene

known as Styrofoam, this rigid plastic is low-cost and insulates very well, which has made it a staple in the food, packaging and construction industries. Like PVC, polystyrene is considered to be a dangerous plastic. It can easily leach harmful toxins such as styrene (a neurotoxin), which can easily then be absorbed by food and thus ingested by humans.Cups, takeout food containers, shipping and product packaging, egg cartons, cutlery and building insulation.

PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride

This hard and rigid plastic is resistant to chemicals and weathering, making it desired for building and construction applications; while the fact that it doesn’t conduct electricity makes it common for high-tech applications, such as wires and cable. On the flip side, we must note that PVC is the most dangerous plastic to human health, known to leach dangerous toxins throughout its entire lifecycle (eg: lead, dioxins, vinyl chloride).

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Pollution Control

Efforts and measures to prevent, minimize, or mitigate pollution and its harmful effects on the environment.

Pollution control encompasses a wide range of strategies and actions aimed at reducing or eliminating pollutants that can harm the environment and human health. These measures may include emissions control, waste management, and regulatory policies to limit pollution sources.

Recycling

The process of collecting, processing, and reusing materials to create new products.

Recycling involves the collection and separation of materials like paper, plastic, glass, and metals, followed by processing and remanufacturing into new products. This practice conserves resources, reduces waste, and minimizes the environmental impact of raw material extraction.

Renewable

Refers to resources or energy sources that can be naturally replenished or regenerated.

Renewable resources are those that can be naturally replenished over time, such as solar energy, wind energy, and sustainably managed forests. They are considered environmentally sustainable because they are not depleted at a faster rate than they can be replaced.

Renewable Resources

Natural resources that can be naturally replenished or regenerated, such as sunlight, wind, and water.

Renewable resources are natural materials and energy sources that can be sustainably harvested or harnessed over time without depleting their availability. Examples include solar energy, wind power, and geothermal heat, which play a vital role in reducing reliance on non-renewable resources like fossil fuels.

Silicone

Silicone is not biodegradable but can be recycled.

Single Use Plastic

Single-use plastic bags are a huge contributor to plastic pollution and have a significant impact on the environment and human health.

Starch

Starch is an amazing and very versatile material, making it an important base for modern bioplastics.

Sustainable Design

An approach to design that prioritizes environmental, social, and economic considerations, aiming for long-term positive impacts.

Sustainable design, also known as eco-design or green design, involves creating products, buildings, and systems with a focus on minimizing negative environmental impacts and maximizing benefits for both current and future generations.

Sustainable Materials

Materials chosen for their environmental friendliness, durability, and minimal impact throughout their lifecycle.

Sustainable materials are chosen and used in a way that minimizes their environmental impact and conserves resources. These materials are often renewable, recyclable, and designed for durability and eco-friendliness.

Sustainable Packaging

Packaging materials and practices designed to minimize environmental impact, conserve resources, and promote recycling or reuse.

Sustainable packaging aims to reduce waste and minimize environmental harm. It involves the use of materials that are biodegradable, recyclable, or made from renewable resources, as well as design choices that prioritize minimal resource consumption and easy recycling.

Sustainable Practices

Actions and behaviors that promote responsible resource use, minimize waste, and reduce environmental impact.

Sustainable practices encompass a wide range of actions, both on an individual and organizational level, that prioritize responsible resource use, reduce waste, and minimize environmental impact. These practices can span various sectors, from agriculture and manufacturing to transportation and daily living.

T-Shirt Bags

A t-shirt plastic carrier bag is a type of reusable shopping bag made from lightweight plastic designed to mimic the shape of a t-shirt. It gets its name from laying the bag flat, which forms the basic t-shirt silhouette.

TDPA (Totally Degradable Plastic Additives)

TDPA is an oxo-biodegradable plastic additive which is used in the production of plastic bags, films and other single-use plastics manufacturing.

TDPA (Totally Degradable Plastic Additives)

Zero Waste

Zer Waste is an idea aiming to reduce the amount of waste in landfill.