Glossary

Airlaid is a nonwoven fabric made from fluff pulp that is used to make napkins.

Bagasse is a material made from sugarcane waste. It’s used to make foodservice ware, such as containers, lids, and cutlery.

Biodegradable refers to materials that microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi, can naturally break down into smaller compounds like water, carbon dioxide, and biomass under the right conditions.

Carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted as a result of human activities, such as production and transportation.

Circular economy is an economic model that aims to minimize waste and keep resources in use for as long as possible.

Climate change is the long-term changes in the Earth’s climate patterns, including changes in temperature, precipitation, and weather extremes, that are largely caused by human activities. These activities include burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

Compostable refers to materials that can break down into natural, non-toxic substances in a compost pile. They are broken down by microorganisms into carbon dioxide, water, and biomass without leaving toxic residue. 

FSC stands for the Forest Stewardship Council. Their certification assures that wood, bamboo, and paper products are produced from responsibly managed forests.

Global warming is the gradual increase in the Earth’s average surface temperature due to the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This is primarily due to carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels.

Greenwashing is a deceptive marketing tactic companies use to make their products appear more environmentally friendly than they actually are. This can involve false or exaggerated claims, misleading labels, or natural imagery.

Net zero is the state in which a system or organization’s greenhouse gas emissions are balanced by removing an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. This is typically done through reforestation, carbon capture, and renewable energy. 

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These chemicals repel grease and water, and are often found in food containers.

PLA stands for polyactic acid, a “biodegradable” polymer made from renewable resources such as corn starch or sugarcane.

Single-use plastic is defined by the Canadian government as products made from polystyrene or polyethylene that are discarded after one use.

Sustainable is a practice or product that is environmentally responsible and can be maintained over the long term without depleting natural resources.