Defining "Green"

As the sustainability, organic, and natural products movements continue to grow, so does the list of vocabulary terms. Read below for definitions on related terminology.

Biodegradable: The ability of a material to be broken down by natural processes and then absorbed by the ecosystem.

Downcycled: Refers to materials that lose viability or value after they've been recycled.

Energy efficient: Products and systems that use less energy than their conventional counterparts to perform the same tasks.

Greenwashing: The practice of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about the environmental benefits of a product or service.

Organic: Refers to foods and fibers that are grown and processed without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Organic livestock is reared without the use of antibiotics or hormones.

Pre-consumer: Refers to a material that is being reused or recycled before it goes to market, such as waste left over from manufacturing.

Post-consumer: Refers to an end product generated by a consumer that is being diverted from the solid waste stream for recycling.

Recycling: The process of converting materials that are no longer useful in their current condition and turning them into a brand-new product.

Sustainable: The use of natural resources to meet present needs, without compromising those of future generations.

Upcycled: Refers to waste materials that are recycled into something of greater value or use.

Source:
The Language of Going Green
By Jasmine Malik Chua, Special to LiveScience
http://www.livescience.com/environment/080714-green-terms.html