Understanding Eco-friendly Terminology

In addition to understanding eco-friendly terms, many other "green" terms are common when marketing eco-friendly products. Learn what they mean so that you can make the most informed decisions for your company.

Biodegradable

Refers to materials or substances that can be broken down by natural processes, such as bacteria or fungi, into smaller components over time, returning to the environment without causing harm. Biodegradable items can decompose into natural elements, reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact.

Compostable

Materials that can break down into natural elements in a compost environment, ultimately turning into nutrient-rich soil. Composting is a natural process where organic matter, such as food scraps and yard waste, decomposes into compost, a valuable soil amendment for gardening and agriculture.

Renewable Resources

Renewable resources are natural materials or sources of energy that can be replenished or regenerated within a relatively short timeframe, either through natural processes or human intervention. Examples include solar energy, wind power, and sustainably managed forests, which can be harvested without depleting the resource's availability.

Recyclable

Materials that can be processed and reused to create new products or materials. Recycling involves collecting, sorting, and processing used items, such as paper, plastics, glass, and metals, to conserve resources, reduce waste, and minimize environmental impact.

Sustainable

Refers to practices that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable practices aim to balance environmental, social, and economic considerations to promote long-term well-being and minimize negative impacts on the planet.

Carbon Footprint

Measures the total amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, product, or activity. Calculating and reducing carbon footprints is essential for mitigating climate change and promoting environmentally responsible practices.

Zero Waste

A philosophy and lifestyle approach aimed at minimizing waste generation and maximizing resource efficiency. The goal of zero waste is to reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost as much waste as possible, ultimately sending little to no waste to landfills or incinerators.

Organic

Refers to agricultural products and practices that prioritize natural, chemical-free methods of production. Organic farming avoids the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), promoting soil health, biodiversity, and environmental sustainability.

Fair Trade

A social movement and certification system that promotes equitable trading relationships and sustainable development for producers in developing countries. Fair trade principles emphasize fair prices, safe working conditions, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment.

Upcycling

The process of transforming discarded or unused materials into new products of higher value or quality. Unlike recycling, which breaks down materials into raw materials, upcycling creatively repurposes existing materials to give them a new life, reducing waste and promoting resourcefulness.

Bioplastics

Commonly sourced from either starch or cellulose, bioplastics are plastic materials produced from renewable, natural sources such as plants. The most common bioplastics are made from cornstarch, potato starch, trees, and straw.

FSC Certified Products (Forest Stewardship Council)

Products bearing the FSC label are wood- and paper-based items sourced from responsibly managed forests. This certification ensures that forestry operations support long-term ecological, social, and economic objectives by setting strict, sustainable forest management standards.

FSC label

Products on our site are given the FSC certification once their status as an FSC-certified product has been confirmed by the manufacturer.

Post-Consumer Recycled Content

If these materials have completed their life cycle as consumer items, they are diverted from landfills to create other items.

Pre-Consumer Recycled Content

Referred to as post-industrial recycled content, these materials are reclaimed waste or excess products from a manufacturing process and reused in later productions to create the same material.

Recycled Content

The total percentage of recycled material in a product, including pre-consumer and post-consumer materials.

Recycled content label

Products made with recycled content will feature this certification on the site.