Dictionary time: Define "green" and "sustainability" and …

dictionary-time-define-green-and-sustainability-and<p>As the sustainability, organic, and natural products movements continue to grow, so does the list of vocabulary terms. Read on for definitions on related terminology.</p> <p><strong>Biodegradable:</strong> The ability of a material to be broken down by natural processes and then absorbed by the ecosystem.</p> <p><strong>Downcycled:</strong> Refers to materials that lose viability or value after they&#8217;ve been recycled.</p> <p><strong>Energy efficient:</strong> Products and systems that use less energy than their conventional counterparts to perform the same tasks.</p> <p><strong>Greenwashing:</strong> The practice of making misleading or unsubstantiated claims about the environmental benefits of a product or service.</p> <p><strong>Organic:</strong> Refers to foods and fibers that are grown and processed without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Organic livestock is reared without the use of antibiotics or hormones.</p> <p><strong>Pre-consumer:</strong> Refers to a material that is being reused or recycled before it goes to market, such as waste left over from manufacturing.</p> <p><strong>Post-consumer:</strong> Refers to an end product generated by a consumer that is being diverted from the solid waste stream for recycling.</p> <p><strong>Recycling:</strong> The process of converting materials that are no longer useful in their current condition and turning them into a brand-new product.</p> <p><strong>Sustainable:</strong> The use of natural resources to meet present needs, without compromising those of future generations.</p> <p><strong>Upcycled:</strong> Refers to waste materials that are recycled into something of greater value or use.</p> <p>Source:<br /> The Language of Going GreenBy Jasmine Malik Chua, Special to LiveScience<br /> http://www.livescience.com/environment/080714-green-terms.html</p>