Glossary of Sustainability Terms

Biodegradable
A material that will decompose into naturally occurring, harmless components over time with exposure to air, sunlight and/or moisture.

Bioplastic
Bioplastics are a form of plastics derived from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable oil, corn starch, pea starch, or microbiota, rather than traditional plastic which are derived from petroleum. See Nature Works and Innovia for examples.

Carbon Footprint
A measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of green house gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. It is meant to be a useful measure for individuals and organizations to conceptualize their personal (or organizational) impact in contributing to global warming.

Compostable
A material that biodegrades substantially under composting conditions into carbon dioxide, methane, water and compost biomass. Compostable is a subset of biodegradable. The size of the material is a factor in determining compostability because it affects the rate of decomposition. A product that is “compostable” is one that can be placed into a composition of decaying biodegradable materials, and eventually turns into a nutrient-rich material. Compostability test protocols (ASTM 6400 & 6868) have been established by the American Society for Testing & Material which both have test protocols to measure compostability.

Environmental Policy
A course of action deliberately taken (or not taken) to manage activities with a view to prevent, reduce or mitigate harmful effects on nature and natural resources. In context, environment refers to ecosystems (ecological concerns), society (quality of life) and economics (resource management). Policies generally address issues including air and water pollution, waste management, ecosystem management, biodiversity protection, and the protection of natural resources, wildlife and endangered species.

Greenwashing
A term used to describe the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.

Non-Toxic
According to the FTC, claims of non-toxic would likely be interpreted by consumers as applying not only to human health effects but also to the product’s environmental effects. The claim would also convey to consumers that the product does not pose any risk to humans or the environment which would be deceptive if the substance in fact poses a significant risk to humans or the environment.

Recyclable
A product or package that can be collected, separated, or otherwise recovered from the solid waste stream for reuse, or in the manufacture or assembly of another package or products, through an established recycling program. For products or packages that are made of both recyclable and non-recyclable components, the recyclable claim must be adequately qualified to avoid consumer deception about which portions or components of the products or package are recyclable. For plastic see Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI). Typically recycled products are considered typically recycled if the infrastructure exists within a community to allow the material to be routinely broken down (melted or pulped) into a basic substance from which a new product can be formed, A product or package that is made from recyclable material, but because of its shape, size or some other attribute, is not accepted in recycling programs for such material, should not be marketed as recyclable.

Recycled Content
Materials that have been recovered or otherwise diverted from the solid waste stream either during the manufacturing process (pre-consumer) or after consumer use (post-consumer). To the extent the source of recycled content includes pre-consumer material, the manufacturer or advertiser must have substantiation for concluding that the pre-consumer material would otherwise have entered the solid waste stream. In asserting a recycled content claim, distinctions may be made between pre-consumer and post-consumer materials, with substantiation. For products or packages that are only partially made of recycled material, a recycled claim must be adequately qualified to avoid consumer deception about the amount, by weight, of recycled content in finished product or package, unless it would be clear to consumers from the context that a product’s recycled content consists of used, reconditioned or remanufactured.

Refillable
A package is considered refillable if a system is provided for the collection, refill and return of the package, or refill of the package by consumers can be accomplished with product subsequently sold in another package. An unqualified claim of refillable would be deceptive if it would be up to the consumer to find new ways to refill the package.

Renewable Resource
A resource that is replenished at a rate comparable or faster than its rate of consumption. Therefore the resource will continue to be available for future generations

Starch/Limestone Composite
Made from Renewable Resources, the raw material for this product comes mainly from potato starch, some corn starch and limestone dust. The finished product typically incorporates a compostable polymer film that acts as a moisture barrier. The main substrate on its own is moisture sensitive and will break down when moisture is introduced to the non coated side of the finished ware.

Sustainability
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the natural environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future. Simply put, meeting the needs of the present without compromising future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainable Forest Management
The stewardship and use of forests and forest land in a way and at a rate, that maintains their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and their potential to fulfill now and in the future, relevant ecological, economic and social functions, at local, national and global levels and does not cause damage to other ecosystems.

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
One of the largest voluntary standards development organizations in the world and a trusted source for technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services. Known for their high technical quality and market relevancy, ASTM International standards have an important role in the information infrastructure that guides design, manufacturing and trade in the global economy. The two standards the are most applicable to Sustainability are D4600 and D6868 which test and quantify biodegradability and compostability.

Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)
The Biodegradable Products Institute is a multi-stakeholder association of key individuals and groups from government, industry and academia, which promotes the use, and recycling of biodegradable polymeric materials (via composting). The BPI is open to any materials and products that demonstrate they meet the requirements in ASTM 6400 or ASTM 6868 based on testing in an approved laboratory.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
An agency of the federal government that develops and enforces environmental regulations which supports protecting human health, and with safeguarding the natural environment: air, water and land.

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
The Forest Stewardship Council is a non-profit organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world’s forest. FSC sets high standards that ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable way.

Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC)
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition is an industry working group inspired by cradle to cradle principles and dedicated to transforming packaging into a system that encourages economic prosperity and a sustainable flow of materials.