Green Glossary

Recently, I was researching yet another green story when I spoke with a company representative who was using the words “recycled” and “recyclable” interchangeably. In the middle of the interview, I finally pointed out to her that something that is recyclable isn’t always made from recycled products. She didn’t realize the difference.

Truth is, before I immersed myself in green living, the only word I really knew and used was the derivatives of recycle, such as recycled and recycling. But the more you look at today’s products with today’s claims, you realize that there’s an entire lexicon that goes along with green living–and likely not everybody really understands exactly what these words mean or how to use them accurately.

Which brings me to this green glossary. I’m starting it today but I may end up moving it to a sidebar on this blog and keeping it as a running record.

Here are my definitions of some common green words and phrases:

biodegradable–usually organic matter, such as the stuff you would toss in your composter, that can break down under natural conditions (i.e. with exposure to air). Unfortunately, there are many products that are labeled as being biodegradable, such as doggie poop bags, which really aren’t in everyday circumstances. As one expert told me, these kinds of products usually end up in landfills, where there is a lack of circulating air. Biodegradable or not, without air, even biodegradable items end up as trash.

chasing arrows–the triangle shape, framed with arrows, that has come to symbolize something that can be recycled or is recyclable.

compostable–organic matter that you can put in a composting bin. This would include all food, save for dairy, meat and bones. Coffee filters, coffee grounds and paper towels are also compostable.

post-consumer waste–raw materials that started as one thing, were used by consumers, then recycled, and have now been turned into something else.

recyclable–an item that you can recycle through your trash collection company or a local recycling center. Recyclable plastic, for example, usually has a chasing arrow somewhere on it, with a number in the middle. This lets you know which kind of plastic it is and helps you identify whether or not your trash collection’s recycling service can accept. Most will take #1 and #2 bottles, which may also come with these letters on them: PETE (#1) or HDPE (#2–clear and colored plastic). These are things like shampoo bottles, milk jugs and bleach containers.

recycled–an items that whose raw materials started out “life” as something else. For example, stationery made from recycled fabric scraps, or fleece sweaters made from recycled soda bottles.

Please let me know if there are other words/phrases you would like me to add to this glossary.