Green Glossary provided by Greenzer

Green Glossary

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SFI

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) on-product label provides customers and end users of wood and paper products an assurance that products are produced in accordance with their environmental expectations. The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) program states it has the most comprehensive approach to wood supply monitoring of any forest certification program in the world and can help provide this assurance with several options for chain of custody and on-product labels.

SIGG

Founded in 1908, SIGG Switzerland is a maker of reusable, aluminum water bottles. SIGG, “The Original Swiss Bottle,” is recognized world-wide for the Swiss quality and craftsmanship that comes with nearly 100 years of heritage and experience. SIGG bottles are tremendously durable. Due to SIGG's special, proprietary internal coating, these high-tech bottles are resistant to fruit juice acids and alcohol. The composition of the liner also reduces the chances of bacteria build-up. Though SIGG’s secret formula does not allow consumers to know whether they are made with BPA, numerous tests have shown that no BPA can be detected with the use of SIGG bottles.

Solar energy or Solar power

The sun is a huge source of renewable energy called solar energy. Sunlight contains electromagnetic energy that can be converted into electrical energy by photovoltaic cells. Solar energy collected by solar panels can be converted into other forms of energy as well, such as heat or electricity. Solar energy also includes indirect forms of energy, such as wind, flowing water, ocean thermal gradients and biomass, which are produced when direct solar energy interacts with the Earth. Products described as solar-powered use the sun as an energy source, converting sunlight into electricity.

Solar heating

Solar heating utilizes the power of the sun to provide solar thermal energy for water heaters, space heaters, and pool heaters. Large windows that let in more light and warmth, and specially designed mechanical systems that intensify the sun’s heat are both used in solar heating. This heating system saves energy, reduces utility costs, and produces clean energy.

Sulfur dioxide

Sulfur dioxide (SO2), a gaseous chemical compound composed of sulfur and oxygen, is produced by volcanoes and various industrial processes. Coal and petroleum combustion also generate sulfur dioxide. The oxidation of sulfur dioxide leads to the formation of acid rain, a major environmental concern. The inhalation of sulfur dioxide results in labored breathing, coughing, and, at times, permanent pulmonary damage.

Sustainable Material

Materials described as ‘sustainable’ fulfill our current needs without draining the earth of resources that will be needed in the future.

Sustainable Textiles

Textiles are considered sustainable when materials and process inputs are safe for human and ecological health in all phases of the product life cycle; energy, material, and process inputs come from renewable sources; materials are capable of returning safely to either natural (biological nutrient) or industrial (technical nutrient) systems; and all stages in the product lifecycle actively support the reuse or recycling of these materials at the highest possible level of quality

Sustainable Wood

Wood harvested from carefully managed forests or reclaimed from old buildings or furniture. A number of programs can ‘certify’ wood as sustainability – the most well known internationally is the FSC.

Sustainably Sourced

Products sourced with environmental and social impacts in mind

Green Glossary

Lifestyle