AQSAir Quality Standards:
The level of pollutants prescribed by regulations that
are not to be exceeded during a given time in a
defined area.
ARRAnnually Renewable Resource:
A resource that is capable of being restored or replenished annually.
BiodegradableA material that is capable of decomposing in nature within a relatively short period of time.
BiomimicryThe application of methods and systems found in nature to the study and design of engineering systems and modern technology.
ComoldThe 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.
CompostThe relatively stable humus material that is produced from a process in which bacteria in soil break down organic materials.
CompostingThe 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.
Cradle-to-CradleA 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.
CWMConstruction Waste Management
Diverting construction debris from landfills through the processes of recycling, salvaging and reusing.
DfEDesign for the Environment
A design concept that focuses on reducing environmental and human health impacts through thoughtful design strategies and careful materials selection.
EcosystemThe interacting system of a biological community.
EDSEnvironmental Data Sheet which describes the most frequently asked questions about a product's environmental aspects.
EmissionThe release of any gas, particle or vapor into the environment.
Environmental AspectAn element of human activity, product, or service that can interact positively or negatively with the environment.
Environmental AuditAn assessment of the current status of an organization's compliance with applicable environmental requirements.
Environmental ImpactAny change to the environment, good or bad, that wholly or partially results from human activities, products or services.
EPAThe 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
FTC GUIDELINESFederal 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
Green EnergyRefers 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).
Greenhouse EffectThe warming of the Earth's atmosphere attributed to a buildup of carbon dioxide or other gases.
Greenhouse GasAny gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide.
GreenSafeCertified™A web site explaining what GreenSafeCertified™ means, and how you can count on GreenSafeCertified™ products to meet all government regulations for health and safety.
HAPHazardous 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?
IAPIndoor Advantage Program:
Developed by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), products are subjected to the most rigorous indoor air quality standards in the United States.
IAQIndoor Air Quality
Quantification of pollutant levels in the indoor environment.
IEMIntegrated Environmental Management
A system of managing the environmental impacts of an organization by incorporating metric into the business decision making process.
Industrial WasteUnused materials from an industrial operation; may be liquid, sludge, solid or hazardous waste.
Lean ManufacturingAn operational strategy oriented toward eliminating all forms of waste.
LEEDThe Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.
Life Cycle AssessmentThe process of summing the environmental impacts during a product or service entire life, including raw material extraction, manufacturing, delivery, use, and disposal or reuse.
MfEManufacture for the Environment (MfE) A process of designing manufacturing processes to minimize their environmental impacts.
NIOSHThe 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.
PCRPost-Consumer Recycled Content
Material that has been recovered after its use as a consumer product.
PICRPost-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.
RecyclableA term used to designate that a product or its package can be recycled.
Recyclable ContentMaterials that can be recovered or diverted from the waste stream for recycling/reuse.
Recycled ContentRefers to the percentage of recycled materials in a product, generally determined by weight.
Renewable MaterialsMaterials 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.
Renewable ResourcesResources that can be replenished at a rate equal to or greater than its rate of depletion; i.e., solar, wind, geothermal and biomass resources.
Sick Building SyndromeA 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.
Sustainability"Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." (World Commission on Environment and Development).
ToxicAny 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.
USGBCU.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.
Vocvolatile 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.
Waste-to-EnergyThe practice of converting waste products to energy including steam, heat, or electricity.