Glossary of Green Terms
Carbon Footprint
The total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full lifecycle of a product or service, expressed as grams of CO2 equivalents. Greenhouse gases contribute to global warming and climate change.
Carbon Offset
Carbon offsetting is the act of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions through emissions trading. For example, a factory or production facility may not be able to reduce its own carbon footprint any further through its own actions, so it may voluntarily purchase credits from another party to offset their actions. The goal of carbon offsets is to attain a carbon neutral overall effect. Carbon offsetting should only be instigated, once you have reduced your own footprint as much as possible.
Certified
Acknowledging that a product is genuine to what it claims, typically having gone through a process similar to obtaining a license.
Certified Wood
Under the guidance of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), wood-based materials used in building construction that are supplied from sources that comply with sustainable forestry practices, protecting trees, wildlife habitat, streams and soil.
Durability
Related to the quality of an item, durability indicated how well a product stands up after a sustained period of use.
Eco-friendly
An alternative to goods usually bought in most stores. These products are made with ecology and the environment in mind.
Emissions
Emissions are particles and gases released into the air as byproducts. There are many types of emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions, for example, contribute to global warming and is not sustainable to the health of the earth.
Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC)
The Forestry Stewardship Council is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests. FSC-labeled wood products indicate that the wood is harvested from sustainably-managed forests.
Green Design
A term used in the building, furnishings, and product industries to indicate design sensitive to environmentally-friendly, ecological issues.
LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. A leading certification process by the U.S. Green Building Council that evaluates new buildings constructed to common green standards.
Low-VOC
A term referring to reduced amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paint and finishes. Low-VOC paints do not off-gas as much as conventional paints and contain fewer toxins that are harmful to the environment.
Natural
A product that is made from materials and ingredients found in nature, with little or no human intervention. For example, wood is a natural material while plastic is not.
One Percent for the Planet
An organization consisting of businesses that pledge to give at least 1% of their total annual revenues to charities and organizations that help the natural environment.
Organic
Of or relating to a product that is solely made from plants or insects.
Reclaimed lumber
Used wood that has been taken for re-use. Often this is wood from long-standing idle buildings, and is refinished for new purposes. Most reclaimed lumber comes from timbers and decking rescued from old barns, factories and warehouses.
Recyclable
A product or material that can be converted back into material that can be used again in manufacturing new goods. Typically, recyclable materials (aluminum, steel, paper, etc.) must remain in their pure form. If too many adhesives are used, or a product is made from a composite, those materials may not be separated at the end of its life-cycle for recycling.
Renewable Energy
Energy harvested from sources that are not depleted when used, typically causing very low environmental impact. Examples include solar energy, hydroelectric power, and wind power.
Re-use
To use again, whether for the same purpose or reappropriated for another.
Sustainable
Actions and products that meet current needs without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet theirs. Sustainability is a broad term and often refers to the desire to provide the best outcomes for the human and natural environments both now and into the indefinite future.
Waste Reduction
A process to reduce or eliminate that amount of waste generated at its source or to reduce the amount of toxicity from waste or the reuse of materials. The creation of waste is a growing problem on the environment, as landfills get filled and toxins leach back into the ground. The best way to reduce waste is not to create it in the first place.
