6 minute read
Greenwashing (verb): The practice of companies making their products appear to be environmentally sound by putting them in green packages, claiming they are biodegradable (when they are not), etc.
Unfortunately, greenwashing is real in today’s marketplace. And it can make decision-making with the planet in mind very difficult for the average consumer. With shelves packed with products in packaging made of neutral tones and matte materials, covered in terminology that sure, sounds planet-friendly, how can you really know which brands are creating products with your values in mind versus creating promotions that seem that way?
Biodegradable Material: An organic compound that can be degraded or converted to more simple compounds by microorganisms in the natural environment
Biodiesel: A renewable diesel fuel created from natural oils such as soybeans. A clean burning, alternative fuel derived from animal fats or vegetable oil that can be used in diesel burning engines. It does not contain petroleum products, but may be blended with petroleum-based diesel
Carbon Footprint: The total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product or service
Carbon-Neutral: Refers to achieving zero carbon release. This can be accomplished by using altrnative fuels to completely eliminate any carbon release or through a system of balancing or off-setting the carbon release by paying others to make up the fiference, by planting trees, for example
Circular Economy: A system dedicated to eliminating waste by reusing, sharing, repairing, and recycling resources
Climate Positive: Exceeding achieving carbon neutrality by removing additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; also referred to as carbon negative
Composting: Controlled decomposition of organic material
Eco-Conscious: The mentality to focus on reducing harm to the environment wherever possible. Not a regulated word.
Eco-Friendly: Something that does not harm the planet. Not a regulated word.
Ethical Business: Good working conditions and fair wages for their employees, transparent supply chains and aim to reduce the negative impact on people and the environment
Green: Used to explain basically anything that benefits the environment, from business practices to design and products. Not a regulated word.
Green Washing: The practice of companies making their products appear to be environmentally sound by putting them in green packages, claiming they are biodegradable (when they are not), etc.
Net-Zero: Achieving a balance between emissions produced and emissions removed from the atmosphere; also known as carbon neutraily
Non-GMO: A verified label that assures food items have not been contaminated with genetically modified organisms
Nontoxic: Not poisonous or not containing poisonous substances
Organic: Material that came from a once living organism. Organic food is food that was grown without the use of chemicals that can harm the land, water, or human health
Post-Consumer: Material that has completed its life as a consumer item and has been discarded for disposal or recovery. It often refers to paper products such as newspaper, white paper, and magazines, that have been recycled to make new products.
Pre-Consumer: Material that has been discarded by commercial enterprise for disposal or recovery. Pre-consumer waste often refers to material such as paper products that have been recovered from industry and recycled into new products.
Recycled Material: Describes products made from post-consumer waste or used materials that are cleaned and reprocessed into new products bound for manufactruing
Renewable Resource: A natural resource that can be replenished by natural means at rates comparable to its rate of consumption
Sustainability: A goal that aims toward preserving quality interactions with the local environment, economy, and social system
USDA Organic: Certified organic agriculture produces products using methods that preserve the environment and avoid most synthetic materials such as pesticides and antibiotics
Waste Diversion: Includes waste management activities that divert waste from disposal through incineration or land filling. Typically waste diversion methods are reuse and recycling
Wish-Cycling: An aspirational approach to recycyling items without knowing if they recyclable but expecting them to be properly dealt with
Zero-Waste: Avoiding products that create waste to avoid contributing to landfills, incinerators, and waste discarded in nature. Minimal waste is a more realistic term, as it’s impossible to create zero waste
Filed Under:
Sustainability
Our team is comprised of people with a profound belief that we can all make strides to make the world a better place. We are a bunch of passionate do-gooders focused on fulfilling our social responsibility and finding new ways to leave the world better than we found it.
What is a B Corporation? What does the B stand for? The B stands for “benefit”. Benefit corporations are traditional for-profit corporations that have committed to higher standards of purpose, accountability and transparency and are required to consider all stakeholders in their decisions Purpose: Benefit corporations commit to creating public benefit and sustainable value in […]
Greenwashing (verb): The practice of companies making their products appear to be environmentally sound by putting them in green packages, claiming they are biodegradable (when they are not), etc.
The counterfeit goods industry is expected to reach a staggering USD $1.82 trillion dollars in 2020 and consumers have few options to determine if the product in their hand is authentic. Authentic Labs has a unique and proprietary material, which, when applied to products, allows consumers to authenticate the item using an app on their […]
