A-D
Biodegradable: A material that breaks down naturally through biological processes. Note: "biodegradable" has no legal timeframe — some items take decades. Look for "compostable" for faster breakdown.
Carbon Footprint: The total greenhouse gases produced by an individual, event, or product, measured in CO2 equivalent. The average Indian's carbon footprint is ~1.9 tonnes CO2e/year (global average: ~4.7 tonnes).
Carbon Neutral: Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by balancing emissions with carbon removal or offsets. Different from "carbon negative" (removing more than emitted).
Circular Economy: An economic model that eliminates waste by designing products for reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recycling — as opposed to the linear "take, make, dispose" model.
Compostable: A material that breaks down into nutrient-rich compost within 90-180 days under composting conditions. More specific and useful than "biodegradable."
E-G
E-waste: Discarded electronic devices. India generates ~3.2 million tonnes of e-waste annually. Proper recycling recovers valuable materials and prevents toxic leaching.
Fair Trade: A certification ensuring producers in developing countries receive fair prices, decent working conditions, and sustainable practices.
Fast Fashion: Cheap, trend-driven clothing designed for short-term use. The fashion industry produces 10% of global carbon emissions — more than aviation and shipping combined.
Greenwashing: Misleading marketing that makes a product or company appear more environmentally friendly than it actually is. Watch for vague claims like "eco-friendly" without certification.
H-M
Low-Impact Living: A lifestyle designed to minimise environmental harm through conscious consumption, waste reduction, and sustainable choices.
Microplastics: Plastic fragments smaller than 5mm, found in oceans, soil, drinking water, and human blood. Sources include synthetic clothing, tyre wear, and product breakdown.
N-S
Net Zero: A state where greenhouse gas emissions are balanced by removal — the global target for 2050. India's target: net zero by 2070.
Organic: Produced without synthetic pesticides, fertilisers, or GMOs. In India, look for FSSAI Organic or India Organic certification.
Planned Obsolescence: Deliberately designing products to have a limited lifespan, forcing consumers to replace them. Common in electronics and fast fashion.
Regenerative Agriculture: Farming practices that restore soil health, increase biodiversity, and capture carbon — going beyond "sustainable" (maintaining) to actively improving ecosystems.
Single-Use Plastic: Plastic designed to be used once and discarded. India banned certain single-use plastics in 2022, including plates, cups, straws, and polystyrene items.
Sustainable Development: Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland Commission, 1987).
T-Z
Upcycling: Transforming waste materials into new products of higher quality or value. Different from recycling (which often degrades material quality).
Vegan: Products made without any animal-derived ingredients or animal testing. In fashion, this means no leather, wool, silk, or fur.
Zero Waste: A philosophy aiming to send nothing to landfill by refusing, reducing, reusing, recycling, and composting. "Zero" is aspirational — the real goal is drastic reduction.