Glossary

Air Quality Standards: The level of pollutants prescribed by regulations that are not to be exceeded during a given time in a defined area.

Annually Renewable Resource:
A resource that is capable of being restored or replenished annually.

A material that is capable of decomposing in nature within a relatively short period of time.

The application of methods and systems found in nature to the study and design of engineering systems and modern technology.

The compression molding process used to form post consumer wood waste into usable "boards". This enables us to save 5,000 acres of virgin forest and divert nearly 10,000 tons of wood waste from landfills each year.

The relatively stable humus material that is produced from a process in which bacteria in soil break down organic materials.

The biological decomposition of organic material in the presence of air to form a humus-like material. Controlled methods of composting include mechanical mixing and aerating, ventilating the materials by dropping them through a vertical series of aerated chambers, or placing the compost in piles out in the open air and mixing it or turning it periodically.

A design protocol that advocates the elimination of waste by recycling a material or product into a new or similar product at the end of its intended life, rather than disposing of it.

Construction Waste Management Diverting construction debris from landfills through the processes of recycling, salvaging and reusing.

Design for the Environment A design concept that focuses on reducing environmental and human health impacts through thoughtful design strategies and careful materials selection.

The interacting system of a biological community.

Environmental Data Sheet which describes the most frequently asked questions about a product's environmental aspects.

The release of any gas, particle or vapor into the environment.

An element of human activity, product, or service that can interact positively or negatively with the environment.

An assessment of the current status of an organization's compliance with applicable environmental requirements.

Any change to the environment, good or bad, that wholly or partially results from human activities, products or services.

The acronym for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal organization charged with setting and enforcing environmental regulations in the United States. http://www.epa.gov

Federal Trade Commission's Part 260 Guides for Environmental Marketing Claims: U.S. governmental principles and guidance on the use of self declared environmental claims. These guidelines apply to labeling, advertising, promotional materials and all other forms of marketing, including words, symbols, emblems, logos, depictions, or product brand names. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/grnrule/guides980427.htm

Refers to the use of energy from renewable sources. Primary green energy sources include solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower and biomass (wood and animal waste, landfill mass).

The warming of the Earth's atmosphere attributed to a buildup of carbon dioxide or other gases.

Any gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.

A web site explaining what GreenSafeCertified™ means, and how you can count on GreenSafeCertified™ products to meet all government regulations for health and safety.

Hazardous air pollutants Air toxics, also known as hazardous air pollutants, can cause many acute and chronic diseases in humans exposed to them. What is your HAP score?

Indoor Advantage Program: Developed by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), products are subjected to the most rigorous indoor air quality standards in the United States.

Indoor Air Quality Quantification of pollutant levels in the indoor environment.

Integrated Environmental Management A system of managing the environmental impacts of an organization by incorporating metric into the business decision making process.

Unused materials from an industrial operation; may be liquid, sludge, solid or hazardous waste.

An operational strategy oriented toward eliminating all forms of waste.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

The process of summing the environmental impacts during a product or service entire life, including raw material extraction, manufacturing, delivery, use, and disposal or reuse.

Manufacture for the Environment (MfE) A process of designing manufacturing processes to minimize their environmental impacts.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the Department of Health and Human Services.

Post-Consumer Recycled Content Material that has been recovered after its use as a consumer product.

Post-Industrial Recycled Content Materials generated by manufacturers or product converters, such as trimmings, overruns and obsolete products, that are incorporating back into the manufacturing process of the same or different products.

A term used to designate that a product or its package can be recycled.

Materials that can be recovered or diverted from the waste stream for recycling/reuse.

Refers to the percentage of recycled materials in a product, generally determined by weight.

Materials that are not depleted when used. These materials are typically harvested from fast growing sources and do not require unnecessary chemical support. Examples include bamboo, flax, knauff wheat, wool and certain types of wood.

Resources that can be replenished at a rate equal to or greater than its rate of depletion; i.e., solar, wind, geothermal and biomass resources.

A situation in which a building's occupants experience acute health and/or comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent there, but where no specific illness or cause can be identified. Complaints may be localized to a particular room or zone, or may spread throughout the building.

"Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." (World Commission on Environment and Development).

Any material or waste product that can produce injury and/or loss of life if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin at a significant dosage.

U.S. Green Building Council An acronym for the United States Green Building Council, a national organization, founded in 1993, whose mission is to accelerate the adoption of green building practices, technologies, policies, and standards. USGBC established the LEED Certification guidelines.

volatile organic compound VOCs are common in the indoor environment and can be emitted from sources such as cleaning compounds, wood products, stains, waxes, paints, and other coatings, fabrics, foam, adhesives, polypropylene, pressed wood products, stain and fire resistant coatings, carpet and other flooring materials, draperies and coverings, wallcoverings, room/cubicle partitions, fiberglass, adhesives, construction materials, personal toiletries, and through activities such as cooking.

The practice of converting waste products to energy including steam, heat, or electricity.