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Sustainability Dictionary Compostable: "A product that is 'compostable' is one that can be placed into a composition of decaying biodegradable materials, and eventually turn into a nutrient-rich material. It is almost synonymous with 'biodegradable,' except it is limited to solid materials and does not refer to liquids." (Worldwise online). Click here for more information about composting. Eco-friendly: Eco-friendly, or “green,” products are produced and manufactured in a way that is not harmful to the environment. Green products are biodegradable, compostable, durable, energy efficient, locally grown and manufactured, low-toxicity, recyclable, made from renewable materials, and carcinogen-free. These products are also preferably producted in "green" facilities and transported in a manner that has a low environmental impact. Energy efficient: This "indicates that energy that might have been used, wasn't." (Worldwise online) Energy saving: "Refers to using less energy without losing the service-a 75 watt energy-efficient light bulb gives the same amount of light as a 100 watt incandescent bulb, and energy-efficient refrigerators keep your food just as cool as energy-guzzlers." (Worldwise online) Fair Trade: "Fair trade means an equitable and fair partnership between businesses and organizations in the developed world and producers in the developing world. Fair trade businesses foster long-term and direct relationships with producers, because they know these connections are a highly effective way to help producers help themselves." (Fair Trade Federation) Fair trade businesses promote environmental sustainability, respect local culture, pay fair wages, offer technical and financial support, and create participatory workplaces. Organic: Products that are made, raised, and/or prodcued without
"synthetic fertilizers, pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides), artificial ripening processes, growth stimulators and regulators such as hormones, or antibiotics and other drugs. In addition, organically grown foods must also be processed, packaged, transported and stored without the use of chemicals such as fumigants, artificial additives, and preservatives, and without food irradiation. Organically grown fibers are specially processed to reduce or eliminate toxic substances in all phases of production." (Worldwise online) Sustainability: "Sustainability means using, developing and protecting resources at a rate and in a manner that enables people to meet their current needs and also provides that future generations can meet their own needs. Sustainability requires simultaneously meeting environmental, economic and community needs." (Executive Order 00-07, state of Oregon) Sweatshop: Manufacturing facilities where workers are mistreated, paid very little, and work under dangerous conditions. Sweatshops often employ children, pay sub-minimum wage, sexually, physically, and emotional abuse workers, have forced overtime, and offer no benefits. Sweatshops often refuse to let workers organize and/or unionize and intimidate and/or fire workers who do so. There are sweatshop facilities throughout the world, including in the United States. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that over 50% of U.S. garment-producing factories are sweatshops. 90% of sweatshop workers are women.
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