but
not all!..
Have you ever wondered what different terms mean on the back of product packaging? or what that new term they are using on the TV means?
Eve will explain…
Biodegradable – The product must break down and decompose into natural elements within a short period – typically 12 months or less and are designed to go to landfills.
Compostable – The product must break down and decompose into nutrient-rich elements in a very short period – roughly 90 days. Compostable materials ARE NOT designed for the landfill as they require ‘composting conditions’ to break down.
Bioplastics – Are plastics made from marine or plant-based materials, they are considered ‘greener’ alternatives as they use fewer fossil fuels than their conventional counterparts. Some of these are biodegradable and others are recyclable.
Recyclable – Once used the product can be converted into a new product if disposed of correctly. However, there are limits on materials, such as plastic and paper, as to how many times they can be recycled before they have degraded too far to be recyclable anymore.
Degradable – The product will break down over time into smaller and smaller particles; they usually do not break down into natural elements. This is the process that happens with plastics into micro-plastics.
Net-Zero carbon – Refers to an entity reaching equilibrium between the carbon released into the atmosphere, vs. the carbon removed from the atmosphere. To do this an entity must actively reduce the carbon they release, and the remaining carbon must be actively captured by funding schemes that remove carbon from the atmosphere.
Net-Zero emissions – Refers to an entity reaching equilibrium between the greenhouse gas (GHG) released into the atmosphere, vs. the GHG removed from the atmosphere. To do this an entity must actively reduce the GHG they release, and the remaining GHG must be actively captured by funding schemes that remove them from the atmosphere.
Carbon Neutral – Refers to an entity that offsets its carbon footprint with ‘carbon credits’. The credits grant the entity permission to emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas in exchange for offsetting (not always capturing) the effects of those emissions and/or by supporting reduction initiatives such as renewable-energy projects.
Climate Neutral – see Carbon Neutral
Carbon negative – Refers to an entity that offsets a carbon footprint larger than they produce with ‘carbon credits’. (see Carbon Neutral for carbon credits explanation)
Climate positive – see Carbon Negative
Carbon positive – see Carbon Negative
We will stop there as no one wants a headache over green buzz words!
