Green Product Definitions

Green products have a lingo all their own. Familiarize yourself with some of the more frequently used terms:

Biodegradable

The ability for waste material to decompose back into the ecosystem.

Closed-loop Recycling

Using products and/or manufacturing waste and by-products to produce or
manufacture a similar product.

Environmental Footprint

The total environmental impact, from obtaining raw materials to installing the finished product, and extending the lifecycle with proper product selection through maintenance. The goal is to make as small a footprint as possible.

Environmentally Friendly

A general, catch-all phrase for products and procedures that have no negative impact on the environment.

Environmental Impact

The effects of our built environment on the natural environment, which can be
beneficial or detrimental.

Green Design

Designing for optimum environmental responsibility, including materials selection, installation and disposal.

Indoor Air Quality

The ASHRAE defines acceptable indoor air quality as air that has no known contaminants at harmful concentrations as determined by cognizant authorities, and air that does not dissatisfy 80% or more of the people exposed to it.

Life Cycle Analysis

A product’s full environmental impact analysis, from raw material extraction to final
disposal, in terms of costs, and consumption of resources, energy and waste.

Reclamation

The process whereby products or materials are made from the waste of other products or materials for beneficial uses. The reclaimed materials or product or use may be completely different than the original material, product or use.

Recycled Products

Contain materials that would have become waste from other materials.

Renewable Resources

Materials that are or can be replenished at a rate equal to or greater than the rate of depletion caused by extraction for manufacturing.

Sustainability

The ability to ensure the health and wellbeing of the building environment, the social structure and the economy over time without compromising the present or the future.

Sustainable Design

Design that strives to reduce or eliminate any negative impacts, and improve the beneficial impact, of the built environment on the natural environment indefinitely.

Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)

An organic substance that has the ability to off gas and release vapors that can cause respiratory as well as psychological and sensitivity problems.