Sustainable Glossary - Phrases You May Come Across - What Do They Mean?

Keeping up with sustainable keywords can be quite difficult. New words are always popping up on Instagram, FaceBook and Twitter, stay in the loop and shop smarter with this keyword glossary!

Bamboo: a highly sustainable plant with a hollow stem from the grass family. Once harvested and processed it can be used for a wide range of things. Be aware, fibres for clothing that are chemically processed are not as good. A good example of sustainable bamboo are these original bamboo sunglasses.

Biodegradable: the ability of things to decompose into the natural environment.

Biodiversity: all forms of life - plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms.

Carbon emissions: the release of carbon into the atmosphere, often caused by motor vehicles. 

Carbon footprint: the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, caused by individual, organisation or community lifestyles.

Composting: decomposing organic solid materials/wastes.

Conservation: protection from harm.

Eco-friendly: environmentally minded actions that cause no/minimal harm to the earth.

Energy efficient: minimal energy being used to create power.

Fair trade: a global movement to put people and the planet first. For example, fair treatment, wages, and safe working conditions for workers.

Fast fashion: cheap clothing produced rapidly by mass-market retailers, dependent on current trends.

FSC certified: FSC stands for 'Forest Stewardship Council'. They promote responsible management of forests all over the World.

Global warming: the unusual increase in the Earth's average surface temperature.

GOTS certified: GOTS stands for the Global Organic Textile Standard. The standard covers the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading and distribution of all materials made from 70% + certified organic natural fibres. GOTS means safe working conditions, no discrimination and no child labour. 

Merino wool: merino wool is a thin, soft and natural fibre grown by Merino sheep. It is environmentally-friendly, renewable, biodegradable and great at keeping you warm. Want to know what the end product looks like? Check out this merino wool blanket.

Organic: something that is natural or related to nature - something that was once a living organism.

PET: polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a sustainable, energy-efficient packaging material. 

Rattan: rattan is the thin jointed stems of a palm, it is often used to create furniture. It is naturally renewable and a great material to use. This tote bag from Suusco has been created using rattan. 

Reforestation: recovering lands that were once depleted - usually through deforestation. This means planting trees/plants in those areas.

Single-use: a product that can only be used once and is then wasted/thrown away.

Sustainable: something that can be continued or maintains its condition without harming the environment in any way.

Suusco: pioneering sustainability marketplace!

Tree rubber latex: the white sap that you find in trees - a natural substance which is harvested from plants.

Vegan: a person that avoids animal-derived products in their lifestyle and diet.

Zero waste: things that have been responsibly produced, consumed and can be reused, repaired or repurposed when they have come to the end of their life without being wasted. This also included packaging and materials.

Now you can stay in the loop with the latest sustainable words and terms!