Key Terms to know in a Sustainable Lifestyle

This morning I had the luxury of visiting with a former coworker in which we spent time catching up and sharing information about our businesses. It was wonderful to reconnect. Even more rewarding was the discussion around the growing eco awareness I see among businesses and individuals. However, I noticed as I was speaking to him that he appeared to get the "deer in the headlights" look. When I paused, he asked, what exactly IS sustainability and how do you live it?" Good questions and being a sustainability consultant, sometime I forget what is standard in my life is uncommon in others.

It made sense to start with identifying what the components of a sustainable lifestyle are but I soon realized, I needed to break it down a little further. Basically, we talked about common words used in green or sustainability.

Although not exhaustive by any means, the following list offers key terms to know in living a sustainable lifestyle.

Bamboo Garments – Bamboo is 100% naturally grown and sustainable, it is also naturally antibacterial & Bamboo fiber is 100% biodegradable. As the fastest growing plant in the world, bamboo grows to its maximum height in about 3 months and reaches maturity in 3-4 years. Bamboo is known to improve soil quality in degraded and eroded areas of land.

Biodegradable – The ability to break down, safely and relatively quickly, by biological means into the raw materials of nature and disappear back into the environment.

Compostable – A product made of materials that will break down over time in a landfill.

Corn Plastic – Derived from corn & 100% biodegradable

Cotton-Organic – Organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, growth regulators, chemical pesticides, irrigation or genetic engineering.

Cyclepet – Recycled PET into fabric prevents it from ending up in the landfills.

Green – The movement that incorporates environmental awareness, social responsibility, bioregionalism, and nonviolence.

Grey water - Waste water that comes from the laundry, shower, dishwasher and bathroom sink that can be collected and re-used in the garden. It does not include black water which comes from the toilet and kitchen sink.

Indoor Air Quality - Deals with the content of interior air that could affect health and comfort of building occupants.

Organic - Products created through a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers.

Organic Leather –Made from skins that are tanned using only vegetable extracts and chemicals approved by TUV. All possible by-products are also re-used. Non allergenic.

Paperless - Process to work with minimal paper and convert all forms of documentation to a digital form

Passive Solar Design - A broad term used to describe non-mechanical design of the building's infrastructure that allows regulation of internal temperature. Principles include orientation of room, location of windows and thermal mass

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.

Polypropylene & Non-Woven Polypropylene –Made up from carbon and hydrogen, and manufactured without any dangerous emissions. Can be recycled, incinerated, or land filled without any harm to the environment. When burnt, polypropylene will only give off water vapor and carbon dioxide, which is converted by photosynthesis. Sometimes known as “pp”.

Post-consumer material/waste – Term used to describe material that is being reused/recycled after it has been in the consumer’s hand (i.e. soda bottles, yogurt containers).

Post-Industrial material – Term used to described scrap or excess material that a manufacturer reuses or recycles throughout the manufacturing process.

Recyclable – Materials that can be reused. Includes glass, paper, aluminum, asphalt, iron, textiles, plastics and biodegradable waste.

Recycled –Term used to describe material that has been separated from the waste stream, reprocessed into a new product 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.

SAFE Plastic – Truly biodegradable in landfills & composting, environmentally safe, no toxic effects, can be recycled.

Soya Bean –100% biodegradable & Non-toxic.