DEFINITIONS & TERMS:
A green product is determined by any one or more of these characteristics:
- Produced out of grown materials
- Made from recycled materials
- Recyclable *
- Durable/reusable *
- Energy efficient*
- Waste reducer *
- Bio-degradable
- Environmentally friendly*
Sustainability is the ongoing process of achieving development or redevelopment that does not undermine its physical or social systems of support.
** The Sustainable Packaging Coalition is an industry working group inspired by cradle to cradle principles and dedicated to transforming packaging into a system that encourages economic prosperity and a sustainable flow of materials. **
ECO-FRIENDLY: When a product or service is designed to create a positive ecological and environmental impact OR to limit the negative effect on the environment.
Recycled: When materials destined for disposal are reclaimed and converted into new products.
Bio plastic: A specific percent of a product is made from a renewable resource. Don¹t be misled - know the percent and the process.
Biodegradable: A product has the ability to break down, safely and relatively quickly, by biological means, into the raw materials of nature and disappear.
Reusable: When a product was created with the intent to be used in place of a disposable item.
Recyclable: Items made of materials that can be recycled.
Reduced Materials: Identify products manufactured with less material.
Material Substitution: When materials are replaced with environmentally safe ingredients and know what portion has been replaced.
Energy Substitution or Reduction: When a product is created with greener energy or is designed to use less energy.
Reduced Packaging: Find ways to reduce the packaging of products and know the benefit this has.
Organic: A specific portion of our product is made from materials grown using certified organic practices.
Natural: When a product is made from natural materials and you need to know exactly what the ingredients are.
Reduce your Carbon Imprint or Footprint: A measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. There are many tips at these sites for our personal and professional actions to help in small ways.