Green Glossary

-- Kids Today, 1/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

As the movement to become more responsible stewards of the planet gains momentum, it also is ripe with misunderstanding and confusion, in part because there is no single dedicated source or agency monitoring this progress. Labels like green or eco-friendly are bandied about, but many of the words associated with “green” aren’t clearly defined.

Here’s a brief list compiled with the help of manufacturers like the Q Collection and from government and trade association Web sites.

Bamboo—one of the world’s most prolific and fastest-growing plants; it can reach maturity in about four years, compared to the typical 25 to 70 years for commercial tree species in the U.S.; there are more than 1,000 documented uses of bamboo from ply boards to textiles. Bamboo is nature’s most sustainable resource and is grown without pesticides or chemicals; it is 100% biodegradable and naturally regenerative.

Biodegradable—materials that decompose when naturally occurring organisms, like bacteria and earthworms, feed on them.

Carbon footprint—the measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, particularly climate change; the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating, transportation, etc.

Energy Star (www.energystar.gov)—a federal program that labels household products that have met energy-efficient standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Forest Stewardship Council (www.fsc.org)—certifies wood and wood products and promotes responsible forest management. Its certification ensures wood is harvested sustainably and then tracks the wood through manufacturing to the store. Considered the leading standard for responsible forestry management.

Formaldehyde—A common ingredient in glues and binders, such as particle board. It is listed by the US. National Toxicology Program as “reasonably anticipated to cause cancer.” It has been shown to contribute to respiratory problems like asthma.

Green Seal (www.greenseal.org)—a nonprofit group that independently tests household products to meet its environmental standards.

Green—a practice that works with nature instead of against it.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)—a key consideration with home furnishings. Indoor air in the average US home is thought to be three times worse than outdoor air and is on the EPA’s list of top five concerns. Home furnishings are often mentioned as a contributor. Materials of concern are primarily VOCs and formaldehyde. The best organization certifying products for superior indoor air quality is Greenguard.

LEED (www.usgbc.org/LEED)—a national program by the U.S. Green Building Council that certifies commercial buildings and homes as environmentally friendly based on performance.

Off-gassing—emissions (like formaldehyde) from building materials and other products that can accumulate in the bloodstream and have been linked to increasing rates of asthma and some cancers, particularly in children.

Organic cotton—grown in certified pesticide-free and herbicide-free soil. Needs to have a certification to be verifiable.

Organic wool—free from pesticides, formaldehyde, polyester, foams, dioxins and other additives; it’s cleaned with biodegradable agents before being carded and spun at a certified-organic mill.

Soy fiber—rapidly renewable and biodegradable, with the luster of silk. It has the feel of cashmere, but smoother. One of the big benefits is that making soy fiber diverts raw material from the waste stream.

Sustainable—refers to raw materials that are harvested, processed, transported and used in a way that protects wildlife, the environment, human health and the needs of future generations.

Sustainably managed forests—sustainable forest management certifications require the grower to meet a variety of stringent conditions to receive certification including compliance with all applicable laws, legal rights to the land, respect of indigenous peoples and workers rights, a complete assessment of environmental impact, a clearly written management plan, and continuing monitoring and assessment. The most trusted certifier is FSC. Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) is also credible.

Volatile organic compound (VOC)—the toxic or noxious chemicals found in or released from paints, stains, adhesives and sealants.