GLOSSARY OF ECO-FRIENDLY TERMS
Bamboo- is 100% naturally grown, without assistance
from man. Bamboo is 100% sustainable, it
is also naturally antibacterial and Bamboo Fiber is 100% biodegradable. It is known to improve soil quality in
degraded and eroded areas of land.
Biodegradable is the ability to break down, safely
and relatively quickly, by biological means into the raw materials of nature
and disappear back into the environment. It limits the amount of harmful chemicals released into the atmosphere.
Bonded Leather is a recycled man-made material
containing elements of recycled leathers, leather scrap and tannery leather
fibers, which otherwise would go to a landfill. Bonded leather generally contains 66% reclaimed Leather Fibers, 30%
Natural Latex and 4% Tanning Oils.
Carbon Footprint is the measurement of the impact
human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of green house
gasses produced. It is measured in units
of carbon dioxide.
Compostable Products that
are made of materials that will break down over time in a landfill.
Corn Plastic Derived from corn & 100%
biodegradable.
Cotton-Organic is grown without the use of
synthetic fertilizers, growth regulators, chemical pesticides, irrigation or
genetic engineering. This cotton is
grown in certified pesticide-free and herbicide-free soil, using organic
farming methods, which produce healthier fabrics, preserve the quality of our
water and prevent toxins from entering the human food chain in the form of cottonseed
and other byproducts.
Cyclepet Recycled PET
into fabric prevents it from ending up in the landfills.
Fair Trade - Trade carried on under a fair-trade
agreement. A way of buying and selling
products that insures that the original producer receives a fair price.
Organic Products created through a system of
farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic
and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. According to the Organic Trade Association, organic growers and handlers
must be certified by third-party state or private agencies or other
organizations that are accredited by the US Dept. of Agriculture.
PET- Polyethylene terephthalate is the most popular thermo plastic packaging material used for drinks and food.
It is lightweight, transparent, and has a good moisture barrier, making it good
for bottled mineral water, food trays for over use, videotapes, and mechanical
components. PET soda bottles are the
most recycled container.
Polypropylene & Non-Woven Polypropylene -
Polypropylene is made up from carbon and hydrogen, and is manufactured without
any harm to the environment. When burnt,
polypropylene will only give off water vapor and carbon dioxide, which is
converted by photosynthesis. Polypropylene is sometimes known as pp.
Post-Consumer Material/Waste Term used to describe
material that is being reused/recycled after it has been in the consumers hand
(i.e. soda bottles, yogurt containers). Material or product used by the consumer for its original purpose and
then discarded.
Post-Industrial Material Term used to describe
scrap or excess material that a manufacturer reuses or recycles throughout the
manufacturing process.
Recyclable Materials that can be reused. They include glass, paper, aluminum, asphalt,
iron, textiles, plastics and biodegradable waste.
Recycled Material that has been separated from the
waste stream, reprocessed into new products and then brought back to the
consumer as a new item.
Recycled Cardboard The material is made from
cardboard that has been discarded or once used by a consumer.
Recycled Content The amount of pre- and
post-consumer recovered material introduced in a material production process,
usually expressed as a percentage.
Recycled Leather Material is untreated and is made
with leather scraps recycled to save waste.
Safe Plastic Truly biodegradable in landfills &
composting, environmentally safe, no toxic effects, can be recycled.
Soy/Soya Bean Soy/soya bean products are 100% biodegradable & non-toxic.
Soy/Soya Wax Candle The pure soy/class=SpellE>soya bean wax does not give out dirty soot and it burns
cooler, lasting approximately 33% longer. All natural, non-chlorine bleached cotton wicks burn cleaner, cooler and
longer, 100% biodegradable.
Sustainable Causes little or no damage to the
environment, and therefore able to continue for a long time.
Tree-Free Paper products that are not made from
bleached wood pulp, but from recycled, post-consumer waste (like previously
used paper) combined with substances such as industrial hemp or organic
cotton.
