Green Vocabulary
GEO – genetically engineered organism
GMO- genetically modified organism
Carbon Footprint- is defined as the total amount of green house gas emissions that an individual, group, product or event emits either directly or indirectly to the environment.
Green House Gases – are in the Earths atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation. Some common green house gases are carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, water vapor and ozone.
Green House Effect – is a process of heating of the surface of a moon or planet due to a change in atmosphere that absorbs and/or emits infrared radiation.
Recycle – is the process of turning a previously used item into a new product in an effort to reduce waste and reduce green house gas emissions on producing a new product.
Going Green – a lifestyle that consists of helping reduce that individual’s negative impact on the environment.
Organic – a specific item displays the qualities that are to be considered free of pesticides, genetically modified, imitation, or synthetic properties that have been certified and are regulated by the FDA.
All Natural – a term not regulated by the FDA. That is to say a product can be deemed as “All Natural” with out having to certify their product as having natural properties or having to be regulated by the Food and Drug Administration as containing natural products.
F.D.A – Food and Drug Administration a segment of the Department of Health and Human Services. This segment accounts for approximately $.25 of every dollar you spent by American Consumers today. They require medicine and prescriptions are proven safe and effective. As for food they agree on the amounts of chemicals and pesticides that are safe for Americans to ingest in a single product.
Pesticide – any biological agent or chemical substance, viral or bacterial, that is used to repel, prevent or kill a “pest”.
Sustainable – is a theory that something has the capacity to withstand long periods of time continue to be productive overtime
Locavore – a concept of local investment and local economies to increase local production.
S.O.L.E – sustainable, organic, local & ethical
Social Responsibility – is an ethical or ideological theory that an entity whether it is a government, corporation, organization or individual has a responsibility to society. This responsibility can be “negative”, meaning there is a responsibility to refrain from acting (resistance stance) or it can be “positive,” meaning there is a responsibility to act (proactive stance).
Hemp – is the common name for plants of the entire genus Cannabis, although the term is often used to refer only to Cannabis strains cultivated for industrial (non-drug) use. Industrial hemp is produced in many countries around the world. Major producers include Canada, France, and China. While more hemp is exported to the United States than to any other country, the United States Government does not consistently distinguish between marijuana and the non-psychoactive Cannabis used for industrial and commercial purposes.
Post Consumer Waste- Post-consumer waste is a waste type produced by the end consumer of a material; that is, where the waste-producing use did not involve the production of another product.
Usually, this waste is the garbage that individuals routinely discard, either in a waste receptacle or a dump, or by littering, incinerating, pouring down the drain, or washing into the gutter.
Animal By-Products – are biodegradable wastes consisting of animal carcases, parts of animal carcases, products of animal origin which are not intended for human consumption, includes catering waste.
Energy efficiency – Useful power output per electrical power consumed. is the ratio between the useful output of an energy conversion machine and the input, in energy terms. The useful output may be electric power, mechanical work, or heat. Energy conversion efficiency is not defined uniquely, but instead depends on the usefulness of the output.
FSC – Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. This label provides a credible link between responsible production and consumption of forest products, enabling consumers and businesses to make purchasing decisions that benefit people and the environment as well as providing ongoing business value.
Green Homes – the latest term to describe a home designed to be environmentally friendly, including energy and water efficiency, healthy and more.
Energy Star Home – about 20 to 30% more efficient than code
Waste-to-Energy – the burning of waste to generate heat, electricity, or steam
Antimicrobial Preservative – A naturally or synthetically derived chemical additive put in or on the surface of products to prevent odors, stains and fungal growth.
Bio-products- are materials, chemicals and energy derived from renewable biological resources.
Biodegradable – the ability to breakdown/decompose in nature within a reasonably short amount of time.
Biological Contaminants – Agents derived from living organisms or their products that can be ingested, inhaled or otherwise absorbed into the body animal or human which could be hazardous to ones health.
Bio-mass – wood based materials, agricultural crops, landfill gas, animal and other types of organic waste when used as energy it is considered a renewable source of energy.
Biomimicry - the study of nature and its imitation of natures forms.
Building Related Illness – A diagnosable symptom that can be identified with a cause attributed to a buildings airborne pollutants.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)- A colorless odorless gas formed naturally by decomposition, combustion, breathing, et. which contributes to Global Warming.
Chlorofluorocarbon- A class of volatile, non-reactive, non-corrosive, non-flammable & easy liquefiable gases usually used in refrigeration & believed to be responsible for the deterioration of the ozone.
Cradle-to-Cradle – A term used for describing a product or material recycled into a similar or new product after the original items intended life.
Cradle-to-Grave – A term used to describe material or products that is disposed (landfill, incineration, etc. ) of at the end of its intended life.
Design for the Environment (DfE) – A concept or philosophy applied to the design process that advocates the reduction of environmental and human health impacts through materials selection & design strategies.
Ecological Footprint – The resulting impacts on the environment based on the choices we make for example raw materials selection, transportation, etc.)
Ecosystem – The interaction of organisms from the natural community with one another and their environment to sustain one another.
Embodied Energy – is a combination of the energy required for the process to make a product and the molecular energy inherent in the product’s material content.
Emission – The release of any gas, particle or vapor into the environment.
Environmental Cost - The monetary impact from the negative enviornmental effects resulting from the choices we make.
Environmental Management Systems (EMS) – series of activities to monitor and manage the environmental impacts of manufacturing activities.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – An independent executive agency of the federal government, established in 1970, responsible for the formulations & enforcement of regulations governing the release of pollutants, to protect publish health & the environment.
Envorinmentally Friendly - A generic statement often used to designate a product or process that has a reduced ecological footprint when compared to other products/processes. Environmentally Preferable. Products, services or systems that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products, services or systems that serve the same purpose.
Fluorocarbon – Non-flammable, heat-stable hydrocarbon liquid or gas, in which some or all hydrogen atoms have been replaced by fluorine atoms. As with CFC’s, fluorocarbons, traditionally used as propellants (spray cans), are classified as ozone-depleting substances.
Fly Ash - Fine, non-combustible particulate primarily resulting from the combustion of coal in furnaces and kilns. Often used as a filler material in concrete to displace virgin raw materials.
Fossil Fuel – Any petroleum based fuel (gasoline, natural gas, fuel, oil, etc)
Fungi – typically filamentous, eukaryotic, non-chlorophyllic microorganisms. Fungi grow on dead or dying organic matter & may also grow on some building materials where excess moisture is present. Fungi can cause pungent odors, unsightly stains, & premature biodeterioration of interior furnishings.
Global Warming Potential (GWP) – This is the impact of greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to the "greenhouse effect". Elevated concentrations of greenhouse gases contribute to global warming & increased climate variability. Also referred to as Climate change.
Greenhouse Effect – Greenhouse gases trap heat inside the atmosphere, warming the earths surface.
Green Tag - A green tag or Renewable Energy Certificate (REC), represents the eenvironmental attributes created when electricity is generated using renewable sources instead of fossil fuels such as coal, oil & natural gas. REC’s can be sold separately form their associated electricity & enable customers to "green" the electricity they consume from their retail power supplier(s).
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) – Acceptable IAQ is air in which there are no known contaminants at harmful concentrations as determined by cognizant authorities & with which a substantial majority (80 percent or more) of the people exposed do not express dissatisfaction.
Industrial Ecology – An approach to the design of industrial products & processes that evaluates such activities through the dual perspective of product competitiveness & environmental interactions.
LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environment Design) – A series of building rating products developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to provide a standard for what constitutes a "green building" or " high performance" building. The various LEED products are used as design guidelines & third-party certification tools, aiming ot improve occupant well-being, eenvironmental performance & economic returns of buildings used to establish & innovative practices, standards & technologies. The collection of LEED products include LEED New Construction (NC) for newly constructed buildings, LEED Commercial Interiors (CI) for tenant build outs, LEED Existing Buildings (EB) for existing building operations & for re-certification of already certified buildings, & LEED Core & Shell (CS). An effort is also underway to develip LEED for Homes.
Life Cycle Assessment – A compilation & evaluation of the inputs, outputs & the potential eenvironmental impacts of a product or system throughout its life cycle.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) - A compilation of information required under OSHA hazard communication standard, including a listing of hazardous chemicals, health & physical hazards, exposure limits & handling precautions.
Nonrenewable Energy – Sources of energy that cannot be replaced in reasonable period of time. Fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas) are examples of nonrenewable energy sources.
Offsets - Greenhouse gas reduction activities undertaken to compensate for emissions elsewhere.
Particulate – Fine solid particles of dust, spores, pollens, dander, skin flakes, mite allergens, cell debris, mold, mildew, mineral fibers, or solids escaping from combustion processes that are small enough to become suspended in the air, and in some cases small enough to be inhaled. Photovoltaic Cells. Solid-state devices (typically made from silicon) that directly convert sunlight to electricity.
Recycling – The series of activities, including collection, separation, & processing, by which materials are recovered from the waste stream for use as raw materials in the manufacture of new products.
Recyclable – A designation for products or materials that are capable of being recovered form, or otherwise diverted from waste streams for recycling.
Closed-loop Recycling – The process of recycling in such a way that the components of the original product are reclaimed or utilized into similar products without the process of downcycling.
Downcycling – The process of recycling in such a way that new products are of lesser economic value. An example would be turning nylon face fiber into park benches.
Upcycling - The process of recycling in such a way that the new products are of higher economic value. Example: using waste PET (plastic from soda bottles) to create Terratex panel fabric.
Recycled Content – Refers to the percentage of the total weight of recycled materials in a product.
Post-consumer Recycled Content – Material that has been recovered after its intended use as a consumer product. Examples include reclaimed carpet tiles (for new tile backing).
Post – industrial Recycled Content – Material that has been recovered from the manufacturing waste steam before it has served its intended purpose. (example Nylon 6, 6 extrusion waste).
Renewable Energy – Energy derived from sources which are regenerative or recurring. Examples include wind energy, hydro, geothermal, or wave action.
Renewable Resources – A resource that can be replenished at a rate equal to, or greater than its rate of depletion. Examples of renewable resources include corn (for PLA products), trees, soy-based products and so on.
Repurposing – Allows a flooring product to be cleaned or refurbished & then reused in its current form, thereby extending its useful life, Interface currently repurposes carpet by offering it to nonprofit organizations.
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) – A term used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and/or comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in particular building, but where no specific illness can be identified. Symptoms typically appear upon entering the building & disappear upon leaving the building in affected occupants. These occupants. These buildings are often defined as “problem buildings”.
Sustainability - is the capacity to endure. In ecology the word describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time. For humans it is the potential for long-term maintenance of well being, which in turn depends on the well being of the natural world and the responsible use of natural resources.
Volitile Organic Compounds – Compounds from many housekeeping, maintenance & building products made with organic chemicals. These compounds may be released from the products both inuse and in storage. In sufficient quantities, VOC’s can cause irritation & some are carcinogenic *& are suspected of causing or exacerbating acute *& chronic diseases. The health effects of VOC’s at levels found typically in commercial indoor environments are still not completely known & continue to be a point of further study.
Waste-to-Energy – Burning of waste to generate steam, heat or electricity.
