|
Air Pollution: Airborne contaminants or pollutants that adversely affect
the environment or human health.
Biodegradable: A material or substance which, when left exposed to nature,
will decompose without harmful effects to the environment.
Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV): Solar panels that have been integrated
into the design of the building or structure.
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,
so reducing carbon footprints is desirable for a healthier earth.
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 for another party to offset their actions.
The goal of carbon offsets is to attain a carbon neutral overall effect.
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.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC): A group of volatile gases believed to deplete
the ozone layer of the Earth's stratosphere. These gases have been discontinued
from use as refrigerants and as blowing agents used to make foam.
Cradle-to-Cradle: A concept introduced by architect William McDonough that
prescribes at the end of a product's useful life, the product will decompose entirely
with no negative environmental impact; otherwise it can be used as post-consumer
material when recycled into a new product.
Daylighting: Natural daylight introduced into interior spaces and controlled
specifically to reduce levels of electric lighting, minimize glare and optimize
lighting quality.
Eco-Action: This is a term coined by TIG staff. Eco-action refers to the
environmental impact of a product based on specific outcomes that are beneficial
to the environment such as lowering existing toxicity or pollution or increasing
energy efficiency. Currently, we have five eco-actions: (1) Recycle/Reduce Waste
(2) Conserve Water (3) Lower Toxicity (4) Decrease My Carbon Footprint, and (5)
Conserve Energy. We have also added a sixth category of “Saves Money” which goes
hand in hand with saving resources and creating additional value for our visitors.
A product has to fulfill one of the five eco-actions to be listed as a green product
on our site. A product that fulfills all six eco-actions is the best possible example
of a green product. Our eco-actions are based entirely upon the direct environmental
impact of the product itself.
Ecosumer: This is a term coined by TIG staff. An ecosumer is a consumer that
purchases green environmentally friendly products. This consumer has environmental
awareness and makes thoughtful choices through his or her own purchasing power.
Embodied Energy: All the energy used to grow, extract and manufacture a product
including the amount of energy needed to transport it to the jobsite and complete
the installation.
Energy Efficient: Products and systems that use less energy to perform as
well or better than standard products. While some have higher up-front costs, energy-efficient
products cost less to operate over their lifetime.
Environmentally Friendly: A term that refers to the degree to which a product
may harm the environment, including the biosphere, soil, water and air.
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing: The federal government requires the
purchase of products or services that have the least negative effect on the environment
and human health in consideration of the acquisition of raw materials, manufacturing
methods, packaging, distribution, recyclability, operation, maintenance and final
disposal.
Formaldehyde: A gaseous chemical used to bind together and preserve building
materials and household products. A potential carcinogen, its use should be avoided
whenever possible.
Fossil Fuels: Fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas extracted from beneath
the Earth's surface, often with significant environmental and political cost. These
fuels are a finite resource and are non-renewable.
Green Product: A green product is a product that is considered environmentally
friendly and fulfills at least one of our six eco-actions (listed below.)
Hybrid: A car that runs on both electric battery and fuel, making the gas
mileage extremely efficient and also produces fewer emissions which help control
pollution in the environment.
Hypoallergenic: Relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): The supply and introduction of adequate air for
ventilation and control of airborne contaminants, acceptable temperatures and relative
humidity.
Life-Cycle Assessment: The comprehensive examination of a product's environmental
and economic effects throughout its lifetime, including raw material extraction,
transportation, manufacturing, use and disposal.
Life-Cycle Cost: The amortized annual cost of a product that includes first
costs, but also extends to include installation, operating, maintenance and disposal
costs over the product's lifetime.
Low Toxicity: This refers to the degree to which a product is poisonous to
people or other living organisms.
Non-Renewable: A finite resource.
Organic: Of or relating to a product that is solely made from plants or insects.
Organic materials and products often carry certifications according to industry.
Ozone Layer: Defined by the EPA as the protective layer of atmosphere, 15
miles above the ground, that absorbs some of the sun's ultraviolet rays, reducing
the amount of potentially harmful radiation reaching the Earth's surface. Ozone
depletion is caused by the breakdown of certain chlorine- and/or bromine-containing
compounds such as CFCs or halons.
Photovoltaic (PV): The capacity of photocells to generate electricity from
the sun's energy. PV panels, now more affordable than in the past, are incorporated
into building design. (See Building Related Photovoltaics)
Pollution Prevention: Reducing the amount of energy, materials, packaging
or water in the design, manufacturing or purchasing of products or materials in
an effort to increase efficient use of resources, reduce toxicity and eliminate
waste.
Post-Consumer: A material or finished product that served its intended use
as a consumer item. It may be recycled and incorporated into building materials
and identified as containing post-consumer recycled content or recovered material.
Post-Industrial or Pre-Consumer: This refers to waste produced during the
manufacturing process of virgin material and rerouted from one step in the process
to the next. This does not refer to recycled material.
Rapidly Renewable: Materials that are not depleted when used, but are typically
harvested from fast growing sources and do not require unnecessary chemical support.
Examples include bamboo, flax, wheat, wool and certain types of wood.
Recyclability: The ability of a product or material to be recovered or otherwise
diverted from the solid waste stream for the purpose of recycling.
Recycled/Recovered Materials: Waste materials and by-products that have been
recovered or diverted from solid waste but do not include those materials and by-products
generated from and commonly reused within an original manufacturing process.
Recycling: A series of activities including collection, separation and processing
by which products or materials are recovered from the solid waste stream for use
in the form of raw materials in the manufacture of new products other than fuel
for producing heat or power by combustion.
Resource Efficiency: A practice in which the primary consideration of material
use begins with the concept of "Reduce - Reuse - Recycle - Repair" stated in descending
order of priority. This concept may be applied in everyday life to help promote
a sustainable society. In design, begin by reducing the amount of material that
is specified; find ways to reuse materials, recycle products or product waste; specify
products made from recycled materials; and repair or restore products instead of
replacing them.
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.
Remanufacturing: A recycling concept by which an existing product can have
its useful life extended through a secondary manufacturing or refurbishing process
such as remanufactured systems furniture.
Sustainably-harvested: A renewable resource that is harvested to allow for
inherent regeneration and a continued, ongoing supply.
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC): These substances are indoor air pollutants
or chemical compounds that exist as vapor or gases at normal temperatures and are
carbon-based molecules typically used as solvents in products such as household
cleaners, paints, inks and dyes. Sources of VOCs include formaldehyde (a suspected
carcinogen), xylene, toluene, benzene (a known carcinogen) and acetone.
Waste Reduction: This is a process to reduce or eliminate the amount of waste
generated at its source or to reduce the amount of toxicity from waste or the reuse
of materials. The best way to reduce waste is not to create it in the first place.
Waste Stream: The total flow of solid waste from homes, businesses, institutions
and manufacturing that is recycled, burned or disposed of in landfills.
* Sources: American Society of Interior
Decorators (ASID), 2005, Dictionary.com, and TIG.
Recycle and Reduce Waste: Any product listed that has this Recycle symbol next to
it is a green product that reduces waste and/or uses recycled/reused materials
Conserve Water: Any product listed that has this Water symbol next to it is a green
product that saves water when you use this product.
Lower Toxicity: Any product listed that has this Lower Toxicity symbol next to it
is a green product that lowers toxicity.
Decrease My Carbon Footprint: Any product listed that has this Decrease My Carbon
Footprint symbol next to it is a green product that decreases the amount of carbon
released during its consumption.
Conserve Energy: Any product listed that has this Lower Toxicity symbol next to
it is a green product that through its use, conserves energy.
|