Glossary of Environmental Terms
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)
FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established
to
promote the responsible management of the world's forests. The FSC label
makes it
easy to make the right choice when buying timber or paper products. Choosing
FSC
makes a difference as only FSC:
- prohibits conversion of natural forests or other habitat around the world
- prohibits the use of highly hazardous pesticides around the world
- prohibits the cultivation of genetically modified trees (GMOs)
- respects the right of indigenous peoples around the world controls each certified operation at least once a year - and if they
are found not to comply, the certificate is withdrawn
Recycled Products
Products that have been reconstituted to new fibre. Post consumer recycled
paper
differs from paper that is labeled as recycled. Often paper labeled as recycled
is
often a mix of pre-consumer, post-consumer and virgin fibres (Markets Initiative)
Post-Consumer Recycled Content
A finished material made from paper that has, been used by end consumers, been
diverted from landfill and reconstituted into post-consumer recycled fibre
in a
recycling mill. Aim for as high post-consumer recycled content as possible
(Markets
Initiative)
Pre-consumer/Post-industrial Recycled Content
Material or by-products generated after a paper product is manufactured but
before it
reaches the end-consumer (e.g. mill ends, or magazines that aren't sold
at the
store). (Markets Initiative)
PVC
Polyvinyl chloride, known as "PVC" or simply as "vinyl",
is a common compound
used in thousands of products, including gift cards. In fact, over 75 million
pounds of
PVC material from plastic cards enters our waste stream each year.
Threatened Species
A species that is likely to become endangered if the factors causing its vulnerability
are not reversed.
Endangered Species
A species that is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers or
threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters.