The Buzz on Sustainability Buzzwords
- Jill Hofbauer
- Mar 28
- 6 min read
What does that actually mean?
A glossary of common sustainability buzzwords.
There is a lot of terminology related to the environment, and sometimes deciphering the jargon can be unclear, confusing or even inconsistent. Having a better grasp on the language associated with sustainability and different environmental challenges and solutions can be helpful in making more informed decisions as consumers, citizens, and importantly, inhabitants of the planet.
The below glossary reflects some of the concepts that I have become more familiar with based on my own curiosity, interest and experience, with brief definitions based on further research. Upon first glance, a list of terms does not feel very interesting, but knowledge is powerful—it can lead to innovation that inspires hope, encourages action and creates change. Imagine how bright the future might be when we harness our capacity for better understanding?
I hope that in browsing this list, you will find something new to take into your own experience of environmental awareness and responsibility.
—Jill Span Hofbauer
A Glossary of Sustainability Buzzwords
Biobased: Material or products partly or completely made from substances found in living organisms like plants, algae, animals, fungi, etc. The renewable nature of these raw materials makes biobased a green alternative to non-renewable fossil-based materials/products.
Biobased materials can be found in a range of markets including construction, packaging, textile/apparel, consumer products, automotive and others. The following terms also indicate sustainable alternatives because they can be derived from renewable resources:
Biochemicals (Ex. Cosmetics)
Biofuel (Ex. Transportation)
Bioplastic (Ex. Food Services)
Biosurfactants (Ex. Cleaners)
Biodegradable: Material that can be organically broken down by living organisms found in the environment, like bacteria or fungi. As the material changes structurally, it also changes chemically so that all of the elements it is made of break down and return to nature. The material determines the rate at which this process happens, ranging from days or weeks (ideal) to decades or millennia. A biodegradable label can be misleading when there is no indication that specifies an end-of-life timeframe.
Biodiversity: An intricate web of living things connected within an ecosystem or habitat. Each player (humans, animals, insects, plants, fungi, microorganisms, etc.) serves an important part in promoting balance and resiliency in the natural world to support life. When biodiversity thrives, healthy ecosystems result in better climate regulation, enhanced food security, clean air and water.
Carbon Footprint: A carbon footprint describes our individual impacts on the environment and the greenhouse gas emissions we produce—from the energy we use to heat and cool our homes, to our transportation methods, the goods we consume and the waste we create.
Circular Economy: A system in which products and materials are circulated through the economy as long as possible through recycling, reuse, remanufacturing or redesign. This varies from a linear system, sometimes described as a “take, make, waste” approach, in which materials are extracted from the earth to create products that will eventually be discarded after use. Some examples of circular economies include recycling used materials to create new products, buying and selling second-hand clothing, and using renewable energy sources.
Clean Energy: Clean energy describes renewable energy generated from natural sources like solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, biomass and nuclear sources.
Clean Grid: Traditionally, the infrastructure in place to power the electric grid (or the network of power stations and power lines that transmit electricity to consumers) comes from the burning of non-renewable fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. Clean grid describes a network of infrastructure built to deliver power to the electric grid that has been generated from renewable energy sources like solar, wind, etc. The more renewable energy that is contributed to the grid, the cleaner the energy produced and consumed.
Climate Anxiety: Feelings of helplessness, distress, lack of control or fear related to the impacts of climate change. Coping strategies can include a concentrated focus on individual efforts and meaningful conversations surrounding climate change with others.
Composting: The breakdown of organic, carbon-based materials (such as food scraps, leaves, grass and yard waste) by bacteria and fungi, resulting in nutrient-rich soil. These microorganisms require oxygen to function, which is why mixing compost regularly and adding materials that create air pockets is key. This process does not occur naturally in landfills because microorganisms cannot thrive in the low-oxygen conditions, like compacted layers of waste.
Compostable Packaging: Made from natural materials such as corn starch, sugarcane and molded fiber that can be broken back down into their natural elements when managed in a composting environment (either at home or commercially). Often materials must be broken down into smaller pieces to help facilitate a faster decomposition.
Compostable Plastic: Requires a process of treatment at an industrial composting facility equipped to break down materials at high temperatures, so it cannot be composted at home. Items must go to a program that accepts commercially compostable plastic.
E-Waste: Electronic devices that are no longer usable or needed, including TVs, computers, game consoles, phones, printers and audio and video equipment. Improper disposal can lead to environmental pollution and human health problems, so it is important to recycle these items properly by taking them to an in-store recycling location, local drop-off site, or by sending in to a manufacturer recycling program.
Fair Trade: A global certification model that aims to protect farmers, artisans, fishers and producers around the world by promoting fair wages, ethical conditions and sustainable environmental practices that help to strengthen and build local communities. As a vast network of producers, cooperatives, companies, retailers and consumers-- Fair Trade continues to evolve through complex challenges such as ensuring an equitable distribution of revenue, certification loopholes and clear consumer messaging from retailers.
Fast Fashion: The rapid design, overproduction and distribution of trendy, low-cost clothing. With a short wear life due to low-quality materials, fast fashion contributes to significant textile waste, along with other severe environmental impacts like resource depletion, contamination of waterways from dyeing processes and microplastic pollution from synthetic fibers. It also poses problematic human welfare implications as a labor-intensive industry with a high percentage of apparel production based in developing nations.
Greenwashing: A deceptive marketing approach to mislead customers about a company or product’s environmental-friendliness or impact. Consumers can be make informed choices by researching brands, understanding certifications, seeking evidence, considering product life cycles, being mindful of ambiguous packaging imagery or terminology, and contacting companies directly with questions.
Hybrid Vehicle: A vehicle that uses both a gas-powered engine and an electric motor powered by a battery that captures kinetic energy when the car brakes. Designed to maximize fuel efficiency, hybrid vehicles offer a middle ground between gasoline-powered vehicles high in carbon emissions, and electric vehicles, which generally have the lowest carbon impact.
Invasive Species/ Plants: Non-native species (plant, insect, animal) that have been introduced to an area by humans (intentionally or unintentionally) that threaten the native biodiversity of an area. Invasive plants impede how insects and wildlife can thrive, which ultimately impacts the agriculture and food production we depend on.
Material Recovery Facility (MRF): A facility that specialized to receive and separate mixed recyclable materials to be processed and prepared for reuse by a manufacturer.
Native Species/Plants: Species (plant, insect, animal) that occur naturally in a specified geographic area. Native plants form reciprocal relationships with the native wildlife, creating sustainable ecosystems over thousands of years.
Net Zero Carbon Emissions: A balanced approach to climate control in which the amount of greenhouse gas discharged into the atmosphere is equally removed from the atmosphere through alternative methods, including green energy, reforestation, sustainable agricultural practices and improved circular economies.
Rain Barrel: A vessel used to capture rainwater for use in gardens or to water indoor plants. Rain barrels help to conserve water, reduce stormwater runoff and prevent soil erosion.
Rain Garden: Stormwater runoff from roofs, driveways and roadways can carry pollutants like fertilizer, oil or garbage into waterways. Rain gardens offer a natural filtration method to catch and soak up excess water while creating habitat for native vegetation that supports pollinators, birds and other wildlife.
Sustainable Fashion: A term that applies to the environmental and ethical ways clothing is produced and used by consumers throughout its lifecycle. The "7 Rs" is a concept within the industry that aims to guide consumers in choosing more eco-coconscious fashion habits.
The 7Rs:
Reduce
Reuse
Recycle
Research
Repurpose
Repair
Rent
Upcycle: In contrast to recycling, which is the process of breaking down materials into raw materials to create new products, upcycling is a creative process that involves reimaging items to create new and useful products. Upcycling reduces waste, helps to conserve resources and encourages a circular economy.
Zero Waste: A process of modifying the way items are made and/or how they are used to eliminate waste and conserve resources without consequence to the natural environment.
Sources:
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Swartz, Angela. "Biodegradable plastic exists--but it's not cheap." National Geographic. 23 July 2024, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/bioplastic-biodegradable-compostable-plastic-pha
"Recycling: What's the difference between biodegradable, compostable and recyclable?" CBBC. 6 December 2023, https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/67628672
Anderson, Janet. "How more sustainable business models benefit business, consumers and the environment." Think:Act Magazine, 10 October 2022. Roland Berger. https://www.rolandberger.com/en/Insights/Publications/From-take-make-waste-to-the-circular-economy-model.html
Kachook, Olga. "Understanding the Role of Compostable Packaging in North America." Sustainable Packaging Coalition. 2021, January. Retrieved from https://sustainablepackaging.org/resources/
Caputo, Tina. "Why the U.S. is 'on the brink of a fair-trade breakthrough.'" Produce Market Guide. 20 February 2025, https://www.producemarketguide.com/news/why-us-brink-fair-trade-breakthrough
"Why Fair Trade Challenges Still Matter Today." Social Justice Australia. 22 March 2025, https://socialjusticeaustralia.com.au/fair-trade-challenges-impact-future/
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"How Do Hybrid Electric Cars Work?" U.S. Department of Energy. https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/how-do-hybrid-electric-cars-work#:~:text=Hybrid%20electric%20vehicles%20are%20powered,by%20the%20internal%20combustion%20engine.
Nevein, Viveka. "How to Make a Simple Rain Garden to Solve Stormwater Problems." Better Homes & Gardens. 30 April 2024, https://www.bhg.com/gardening/landscaping-projects/landscape-basics/make-a-rain-garden/
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