Eco-Friendly Glossary

 

Bamboo Garments – Bamboo is 100% naturally grown and sustainable, it is also naturally antibacterial & Bamboo fibre is 100% biodegradable. As the fastest growing plant in the world, bamboo grows to its maximum height in about 3 months and reaches maturity in 3-4 years.Bamboo is known to improve soil quality in degraded and eroded areas of land.

Biodegradable – The ability to break down, safely and relatively quickly, by biological means into the raw materials of nature and disappear back into the environment.

Bonded Leather –A recycled man-made material containing elements of recycled leathers, leather scrap & tannery leather fibres, which otherwise would go to a landfill.

Compostable – A product made of materials that will break down over time in a landfill.

Corn Plastic – Derived from corn & 100% biodegradable

Cotton-Organic – Organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, growth regulators, chemical pesticides, irrigation or genetic engineering.

Cyclepet – Recycled PET into fabric prevents it from ending up in the landfills.

Green – The movement that incorporates environmental awareness, social responsibility, bioregionalism, and nonviolence.

Organic - Products created through a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. 

Organic Leather –Made from skins that are tanned using only vegetable extracts and chemicals approved by TUV.  All possible by-products are also re-used. Non allergenic.

PET – Polyethylene terephthalate is the most popular thermo plastic packaging material used for drinks and food.  It is lightweight, transparent, and has a good moisture barrier.

Polypropylene & Non-Woven Polypropylene –Made up from carbon and hydrogen, and manufactured without any dangerous emissions. Can be recycled, incinerated, or land filled without any harm to the environment.  When burnt, polypropylene will only give off water vapor and carbon dioxide, which is converted by photosynthesis. Sometimes known as “pp”.

Post-consumer material/waste – Term used to describe material that is being reused/recycled after it has been in the consumer’s hand (i.e. soda bottles, yogurt containers).    

Post-Industrial material – Term used to described scrap or excess material that a manufacturer reuses or recycles throughout the manufacturing process.

Recyclable – Materials that can be reused. Includes glass, paper, aluminum, asphalt, iron, textiles, plastics and biodegradable waste.

Recycled –Term used to describe material that has been separated from the waste stream, reprocessed into a new product and then brought back to the consumer as a new item.

Recycled Cardboard – The material is made from cardboard that has been discarded or once used by a consumer.

Recycled Content – The amount of pre- and post-consumer recovered material introduced in a material production process, usually expressed as a percentage.

Recycled Leather – Material is untreated and is made with leather scraps – recycled to save waste.  (As opposed to scraps going into a landfill, they are recovered and reprocessed to make leather material.)

SAFE Plastic – Truly biodegradable in landfills & composting, environmentally safe, no toxic effects, can be recycled.

Soya Bean –100% biodegradable & Non-toxic.