Biodegradable: The ability of a material to be broken
down into simpler compounds by microorganisms or other decomposers. Many
different definitions of and tests for biodegradability exist. Definitions
of the different tests are available from the EPA.
Climate Change: Climate is the long-term average of a region's
weather. Climate change represents a change in these long-term weather patterns.
Based on the change, climates can become warmer or colder. Annual amounts of
rainfall or snowfall can increase or decrease. (Also see Global Warming).
Durability: The ability of a product to be reused, without
significant degradation, for its intended purpose for a greater period than the
average useful product life-span of other similar products.
Environmental Labeling: Any printed label on a package or product
that provides environmental information regarding recycled content, recyclability,
reduced packaging etc.
Environmentally Preferable Products (EPPs): Products or services
that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when
compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose. Such
products or services may include, but are not limited to, those which contain
recycled content, minimize waste, conserve energy or water, and reduce the amount
of toxics disposed or consumed.
Extended Producer Responsibility/Manufacturer's Responsibility:
A system whereby the Producers (or distributors/retailers) of a packaged consumer
product assume primary responsibility for the management and recycling of the
product packaging.
Global Warming: Global warming refers to an average increase
in the Earth's temperature, which in turn causes changes in climate. A warmer
Earth may lead to changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea level, and a wide
range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans. Greenhouse gases make the
Earth warmer by trapping energy inside the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases are
any gas that absorbs infra-red radiation in the atmosphere and include: water
vapor, carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), halogenated
fluorocarbons (HCFCs), ozone (O3), perfluorinated carbons (PFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs).
Low-VOCs (volatile organic compounds): Products with a low-VOC
content meant for indoor use have been positively correlated with better indoor
air quality. Using products with low VOCs is especially important for chemically
sensitive individuals.
Pollution Prevention: Any practice which reduces the amount
of hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant entering the waste stream or
otherwise released to the environment (including fugitive emissions) prior to
recycling, treatment, or disposal; and reduces the hazards to public health and
environmental associated with the release of such substances.
Post-Consumer Content: The manufacturing of a new product using
materials that have already served their intended uses and have been separated
for recycling to be used as a raw material.
Post-Industrial Materials: Materials generated by manufacturers
or product converters, such as trimmings, overruns and obsolete products, that
are incorporating back into the manufacturing process of the same or a different
products are considered post-industrial materials or scraps.
Pre-Consumer Materials: Materials and manufacturing by-products
that would be destined for disposal had they not been diverted from the waste
stream for reuse or recycling (e.g., paper trimmings left over after cutting
envelopes from paper that are sold to another manufacturer to be used to make
paper products) are consider pre-consumer materials. Pre-consumer material does
not include materials and by-products generated by and commonly used in an original
manufacturing process (see Industrial Scrap).
Post-Consumer Materials: Materials generated by consumer, business
or institutional sources that have served their intended use or completed their
lifecycle and would be destined for disposal had they not been diverted from
the waste stream for recycling (e.g., paper placed in a recycling bin by a consumer/end-user
that is collected and re-pulped to make new paper products) are considered post-consumer
materials.
Product Stewardship: Product stewardship is an approach to
product and materials management designed to improve resource utilization efficiency
and promoting waste minimization. Product stewardship programs seek to 1) establish
responsibility for, and 2) to apportion the costs of waste management among the
specific participants in the various stages of a product's life cycle. In this
way, the full environmental costs of a product are internalized and end of life
product management responsibility is clearly assigned to either the manufacturer,
the retailer, or to other specific participants in the product life cycle, rather
than being left to the consumer or the municipality.
Reclaimed: Refers to the specialized process of cleaning and
refurbishing an item for reuse. For example, carpet broadloom and tiles can
be cleaned and refurbished to replace overly worn segments.
Recyclability: The potential of a material to be diverted from
solid waste stream for the purpose of recycling and reprocessed into a new product.
Recycled Content: The amount of pre- and post-consumer recovered
material introduced as a feed stock in a material production process, usually
expressed as a percentage.
Refurbished: The process of restoring a product by cleaning,
repairing, recovering, and reusing the item for its original intended use.
Remanufacturing: The dismantling of a spent product to clean
and repair the product for the same use. Replacement parts must be new after-market
parts that meet the same specifications as original equipment manufactured parts.
Shared Product Responsibility: A new trend in waste and pollution
prevention policies that seeks to expand the assignment of responsibility for
waste management of packaging and spent consumer goods beyond the producer and
consumer to include all participants along the life cycle of a product including
designers, suppliers, manufacturers, fillers, distributors and disposers, as
well as consumers and governments.
Sustainability: Sustainable development is the process of conducting
business and commerce in a resource conservative and resource efficient manner
such that operations do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs. The essential elements of this trend are the promotion and
maintenance of business and community development strategies that lead to a better
business environment in the future; one sustained by stable, healthful communities
within a clean, safe environment.
Virgin Product: Products that are made with 100 percent new
raw materials and contain no recycled materials.
Waste prevention: Also known as source reduction, means any
change in the design, manufacturing, purchase, or use of materials or products
(including packaging) to reduce their level or toxicity before they become municipal
solid waste. Waste prevention also refers to the reuse of products or materials.
Waste reduction: Means preventing or decreasing the quantity
of waste being generated through waste prevention, recycling, or purchasing recycled
and environmentally preferable products.
