Definitions

B Corp Certification. A certification that measures the impact of an organization’s operations and business model on their employees, community, environment and customers.

B Lab. A nonprofit that serves a global movement of people using business as a force for good by verifying credible leaders in the business community, creating supportive infrastructure and engaging with major institutions with the power to transform our economy.

Biofuel. A liquid fuel derived from plant matter, which is used for transportation.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2). This is a greenhouse gas (GHG) and major contributor to the greenhouse effect (climate change).

Carbon Footprint. Measures CO2 emissions associated with fossil fuel use.

Carbon Offsets. A mechanism to help businesses reach their carbon reduction goals while making a positive impact on the community and/or environment (e.g., Etsy does Carbon-Offset Shipping).

Carrying Capacity. The population that can survive indefinitely on the available resources and services.

Circular Economy. An approach to business and sustainable development that replaces our “make, use, dispose” economy with one that continuously reuses outputs, adding only those inputs derived from exclusively renewable resources.

Composting. A form of waste disposal where organic waste such as food or plant material decomposes naturally.

Consumption. The use of goods or services.

Corporate Social Responsibility. The business practice that helps an organization be socially accountable to itself, stakeholders and the public.

Downcycle. When items lose value or viability in the process of recycling and can only be used in a degraded form for components other than their original use.

Environmental Workplace Behaviors. Individual behavior {while at work) that positively impacts environmental sustainability..

E-waste. Refers to discarded electronic devices.

Fair Trade Certification. A certification that measures the degree to which producers/traders have met Fairtrade Standards which are designed to address the imbalance of power in trading relationships, unstable markets and the injustices of conventional trade.

Fossil Fuels. Fuels formed by natural processes (e.g., coal, natural gas, oil, etc.).

Genetically Modified Organism. A plant, animal, microorganism or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified in a laboratory using genetic engineering or transgenic methods.

Greenhouse Gases. Absorb and emits radiant energy heating the Earth.

Minimalism. The intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from that.

Organic. Produce and ingredients grown without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products do not take antibiotics or growth hormones.

Pescatarian. An individual who adheres to a diet that incorporates seafood as the only source of meat in an otherwise vegetarian diet.

Product Stewardship. A management strategy that means whoever designs, produces, sells or uses a product takes responsibility for minimizing the product’s environmental impact throughout all stages of the product’s life cycle.

Renewable Energy. Energy production fueled by resources that nature can replenish at a rate equal to or greater than it is used (e.g., wind, solar, etc.).

Rot. Refers to the practice of composting.

Single Use. Refers to items that are to be disposed after a one-time use (e.g., plastic cups, straws, utensils, etc.).

Social Responsibility. The practice of incorporating social and environmental considerations into the decision-making process.

Sustainability. Relating to the ability of maintaining something indefinitely (e.g., humanity, environment).

Triple Bottom Line. Refers to a sustainability framework that is based upon achieving economic prosperity, societal equity and improving environmental quality.

Vampire Energy. The power drawn by electronic devices while not in use.

Vegan. An individual who excludes, as far as possible and practical, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. Vegans have a plant-based diet avoiding all animal foods such as meat (including fish, shellfish, and insects), dairy, eggs, and honey - as well as avoiding animal derived materials, products tested on animals and places that use animals for entertainment.

Vegetarian. An individual with a diet that excludes products or by-products of slaughter.

Zero Waste. The practice of eliminating waste to promote clean production, prevent pollution, and create communities in which all products are designed to be cycled safely back into the economy or environment.

ACRONYMS

3 P’s. People, Profit, Planet (aka the Triple Bottom Line).

6 R’s. Refuse; Reduce; Reuse; Repurpose; Recycle; Rot.

CSR. Corporate Social Responsibility.

EWBs. Environmental Workplace Behaviors.

ESG. Environmental, Social and Governance.

GEP. Gender Equality Principles.

GMO. Genetically Modified Organism.

GHG. Greenhouse Gas.

GWP. Global Warming Potential.

LCA. Lifecycle Assessment.

TBL. Triple Bottom Line.