Read the quickie definition below or click the term to be redirected to worldwise.com for a deeper explanation.
biodegradable Having the ability to break down, safely and relatively quickly, by biological means, into the raw materials of nature and disappear.
biodynamically grown From farms designed to be self-contained sustainable ecosystems that bring together the complex interrelationships of plants, animals, and soil, with the warmth of the sun, the seasonal energies of the earth, and the rhythms of the cosmos.
CFC-free Does not contain or use chlorofluorocarbons and is therefore "ozone safe."
compostable A solid substance with the ability to break down into nutrient-rich matter, when placed into a composition of decaying biodegradable materials.
degradable Having the ability to break down, regardless of the means. However with regard to product labeling, it is generally used simply as a shorter form of biodegradable.
energy efficient & energy saving Two similar terms used to describe a reduction in energy use. These are not regulated by law. On product labels they are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference.
fair trade Guarantees that producers are paid a fair price for their goods, have safe working conditions, and are not exploited.
life cycle assessment Everything that happens in the manufacture, use and disposal of a product, from the time the raw materials are taken from the earth to the time the product is thrown away and goes back into the ecosystem.
natural Made primarily of renewable resources, as opposed to being made of "man-made" ingredients derived from nonrenewable resources.
no VOCs & low VOCs Specially formulated to eliminate or reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds. VOCs in the air react with nitrogen oxides in the presence of sunlight to form ozone.
nonrenewable Those resources which cannot be replenished by nature within our lifetimes, and are therefore in limited supply. Nonrenewable resources are fossil fuels, metals, other minerals, and groundwater.
nontoxic A "nontoxic" substance is one that does not have the capacity to produce personal injury or illness to humans through ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption.
organic Shorthand for "organically-grown" foods and fibers.
organically grown Has been grown, handled, and processed according to strict production standards that reduce and eliminate the use of toxic, persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and other harmful substances.
ozone safe and ozone friendly Does not contain or use in manufacture chemicals known to destroy the stratospheric ozone layer.
photodegradable A product is biodegradable when exposed to sunlight, in the most common environment in which it is disposed, within one year.
reclaimed Made from material that is being reused, but in a different form. Halfway between being reused and being recycled, the reclaimed material is changed from it's previous form, but not entirely reprocessed.
recyclable A product that can be collected and made into a new product.
recycled New products made from materials that would otherwise have been waste (post-consumer or post-industrial), broken down (melted or pulped) into a basic substance from which a new product can be formed.
reduced A product or package that uses a smaller volume of resources than another similar product or package.
refillable A specific kind of reusable package that can be refilled with product over and over again, such as a glass milk bottle.
renewable Resources that can be restored and replenished by nature in a reasonable amount of time.
reusable Products designed to be durable and used over and over again, instead of being "disposable" and thrown away after one use.
sustainability Sustainability -- as it relates to the environment -- is the ability to keep our ecosystem going over time, taking from the earth and giving back to the earth in balance.
sustainable That which is made, used, and disposed of in such a way that it could continue to be made, used, and disposed of again and again indefinitely.
sustainable forestry Practices that maintain natural forests and remove no more trees than the forest can regenerate.
sustainably harvested A renewable resource that has been harvested in a way that allows it's inherent regeneration and continued ongoing supply.
water efficient & water saving Two similar terms used to indicates less water is used than other similar products to accomplish the same end result. These are not regulated by law. On product labels they are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference.
wildcrafted Plants respectfully gathered from their natural, wild habitat, often from pristine areas.