Glossary of Terminology

Glossary of Terminology

Bringing together recycled, biodegradable, organic and sustainable materials, fair trade and ethically produced products and non-polluting technology is saving the environment in many ways. Fewer raw materials are being mined, less waste or discarded material is going to land fill and fewer workers are being exploited.

The changes you make to your buying patterns may seem small but cumulatively the changes each of us implement will make a huge difference

	Recycled; adjective (Not to be confused with recyclable) having been used before and then processed so that it can form a new product Recycling; noun [U] when paper, glass, plastic etc. is put through a process so that is can be used again.
	NON-Polluting; intentionally taking steps to avoid making an area or substance, usually air, water or earth, dirty or harmful to people, animals and plants, especially by adding harmful chemicals
	Ethical; adjective Adhering to ethical and moral principles (e.g.: “It seems ethical and right”) Conforming to accepted standards of social or professional behavior
	Sustainable; adjective Able to continue over a period of time: Causing little or no damage to the environment and therefore able to continue for a long time
	Biodegradable; adjective Able to decay naturally and harmlessly: Biodegradable products and packaging helps to limit the amount of harmful chemicals released into the atmosphere
	Organic; adjective Not using artificial chemicals in the growing of plants and animals for food and other produce
	Fair Trade; noun Trade carried on under a fair-trade agreement. A way of buying and selling products that makes certain that the original producer receives a fair price