26 Sustainable Terms & Definitions To Help You On Your Sustainable Journey 

Definition:

Any member of 1% for the planet contributes 1% gross sales every year to environmental non-profits that are vetted and approved by the organization. 

Definition:

There is no universal definition or regulations around these words. As a result this comes up quite often in Greenwashing. It should mean that whatever is being labeled as natural comes only from organic ingredients — which is how we use the term here at ZWS. You should look for additional claims when you see these, such as non-GMO or USDA Organic verification.

Definition:

A biodegradable item can be broken down (decomposed) by microorganisms with no harm to the environment. But because there is no time limit on the definition of biodegradable, it is often used in greenwashing. If the product doesn’t clarify the timeline, look for additional clues such as “compostable” or the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) Certification. 

Definition:

This refers to how much greenhouse gas emissions each one of us produces as a result of our actions. 

Definition:

Carbon neutral refers to a person or organization achieving zero carbon emissions. This is done either by removing carbon emissions entirely (like switching to solar power) or more commonly by offsetting carbon. 

Definition:

Carbon offsetting is the processing of purchasing carbon credits to balance out emissions. Certifications such as the Carbon Neutral Certification validate claims of neutrality while also creating a plan to reduce emissions. 

Definition:

A circular economy refers to the circular, regenerative lifecycle of a product. It’s created, used, then remade into a new product or composted and turned into fertilizer.

Example:

Cotton is grown to make a T-shirt. You buy it and wear it for years. At the end of its life you return it and the fibers are used to make a new garment. 

Definition:

Clean is another ambiguous term generally used in greenwashing. It implies that nontoxic, organic, natural ingredients instead of synthetic materials and chemicals but there are no regulations around the word. 

Definition:

A product labeled as compostable means that with human assistance to speed up the process, an item can decompose into compost. Compost is rich in nutrients and is used as a fertilizer to improve the health of soil. 

Definition:

An individual who makes purchasing decisions that have positive effects socially, economically, and environmentally.

Example:

Choosing to purchase a FairTrade product over another because you know everyone in the supply chain was paid fairly for their time and earns a living wage.

Definition:

Even if a product does not contain any animal byproducts (vegan) — it could still be tested on animals. A cruelty-free product means that no animals were harmed in the production or testing of the product. 

Definition:

Is a set of standards ensuring those manufacturing producing a product are being treated (and paid) fairly. Everyone involved in the supply chain is audited to meet Fairtrade standards. 

Definition:

FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council and it is an international organization ensuring the responsible treatment of the world’s forests. This means that biological diversity is being preserved as well as benefiting the lives of the locals who live and work there. 

Definition:

GOTS is the leading standard in textile production worldwide. The goal is to limit the use of toxic chemicals and dyes during manufacturing and increase organic production from farm to labeling. 

Definition:

A GHG is a gas that traps heat within the Earth’s atmosphere to keep it warm. Without GHGs the Earth would hover around a chilly 0 degrees F (-18C). But since the Industrial Revolution, human activities are releasing high amounts of gasses into the atmosphere — increased gasses in the air results in a warmer planet. 

Definition:

Greenwashing is essentially making a product seem environmentally friendly when it’s not. There are many ways to greenwash; the most common are with color schemes, and labeling that contains words like ‘natural’, ‘clean’, and ‘green’ without any certification or explanation.

Definition:

Greywater refers to wastewater from homes and offices, excluding the toilet (blackwater). It can then be used as irrigation to save water and money. Greywater safe products — like our shampoo bars — mean the water that contains these products is safe to use for irrigation.

Definition:

Microplastics are plastic debris that are less than 5mm in length. Big plastics break down into microplastics, they’re found in beauty products, and they are a result of washing synthetic clothing. Because they’re so small, we cannot filter them out. 

Definition:

When a product is labeled ‘Organic’ that means it follows USDA guidelines for production such as being produced without pesticides, fertilizers, GMOs, and helping to stabilize biodiversity. 

Definition:

An organization that claims to be plastic neutral or plastic negative, means that for every amount of plastic they create/use, an existing piece of plastic is being removed from circulation through clean-ups or credits. 

Definition:

You will need to research how an organization claims to be plastic-free but it means that no plastic is used in the supply chain. ZWS ships completely plastic-free and we source from vendors who also do not use plastic in their supply chain. 

Definition:

A product labeled as recyclable means it is made from material that can be reprocessed into a new product. You will always need to check with your local collection department to confirm what is/is not recyclable in your area.

Definition:

Fast Fashion refers to clothing brands that are constantly releasing new clothes to keep up with consumer demand. The clothes are cheap, mass produced, and generally made by people in unsafe working conditions making less than minimum wage. These clothes are made to be worn a few times and then thrown away. 

Slow Fashion is the opposite. Clothes are made from quality materials, usually made locally (not necessarily), by people who make a fair market wage in safe working conditions. They are designed to last years.

Definition:

Upcycling is making an old product into a new product. 

Example:

Using a box to make a kitty castle, using old pasta sauce jars to hold flours and nuts, or repurposing a jar with beauty cream into a place to propagate plants. 

Definition:

When a product or item is labeled as ‘vegan’ it means that no animal products or byproducts were used to create the product. In fashion it means not using silk, wool, cashmere and more.

Definition:

The goal of zero waste is to limit the amount of waste and single use products we use and create. Zero waste seeks to eliminate new waste (by composting, recycling), and reuse resources to make new products.