Making Sense of Sustainability: Your Guide to Eco-Friendly Business Purchasing
Do you ever wonder what the difference between "Eco-friendly," "sustainable," "biodegradable," and "post-consumer waste" are? You're not alone. The world of environmental purchasing can feel like learning a new language. We understand that navigating these terms while trying to make smart business decisions can be overwhelming. We're here to help demystify these concepts and show you how they directly impact your business operations, bottom line, and environmental footprint.
Broader Sustainability Concepts
Overarching principles that guide long-term environmental, social, and economic responsibility.
1. Sustainability: Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
- Why it matters: Protects natural resources, supports community health, and drives long-term business viability.
- Common products: Energy-efficient lighting, recycled content office supplies, compostable service ware.
- Learn more: UN Brundtland Definition
- WD Categories: All Product Categories
2. Renewable Resources: Natural resources that can replenish themselves naturally over time, such as solar energy, wind, or sustainably harvested wood.
- Why it matters: Unlike fossil fuels, renewable resources are sustainable and less harmful to the environment.
- Common products: Solar-powered devices, bamboo paper products, corn-based packaging.
- Learn more: National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)
- WD Categories: MRO, Office Supplies, FoodService
3. Zero-Waste: A conservation approach aimed at redesigning product lifecycles so all materials are reused and no trash is sent to landfills.
- Why it matters: Reduces pollution, conserves resources, and improves operational efficiency.
- Common products: Reusable breakroom supplies, refillable dispensers, composting systems.
- Learn more: Zero Waste International Alliance
- WD Categories: Coffee & Breakroom Products, Janitorial Products & Services, Document Finishing & Destruction
4. Carbon Footprint: The total amount of greenhouse gases generated by human actions, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent.
- Why it matters: Understanding and minimizing carbon footprint helps mitigate climate change and often results in cost savings.
- Common products: Office electronics, lighting, HVAC systems (evaluated based on usage and energy source).
- Learn more: EPA Carbon Footprint Overview
- WD Categories: Copiers, Printers & MPS, MRO, Commercial Furniture & Interiors
5. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A comprehensive method to evaluate all environmental impacts of a product from raw material extraction through disposal.
- Why it matters: Identifies opportunities for reducing environmental impact at each stage of a product's life.
- Common products: Applicable to all products for sustainability assessments.
- Learn more: Life Cycle Assessment Guide
- WD Categories: All Product Categories
6. Cradle to Cradle: A design approach that considers the full lifecycle of a product, ensuring materials can be recycled or returned to nature.
- Why it matters: Products designed to be reused or biodegraded with minimal waste or negative environmental impact.
- Common products: Furniture, textiles, packaging, building materials.
- Learn more: Cradle to Cradle Certification
- WD Categories: Commercial Furniture & Interiors, MRO, Office Supplies
Eco-Friendly Certifications
Verifications that products or services meet specific environmental standards.
1. FSC (Forest Stewardship Council): A certification that guarantees paper and wood products come from responsibly managed forests.
- Why it matters: Ensures products come from forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.
- Common products: Copy paper, file folders, shipping boxes.
- Learn more: FSC Certification
- WD Categories: Office Supplies, Print & Promotional Products
2. Green Seal: A certification program that identifies products made with processes that maintain environmental quality.
- Why it matters: Provides assurance that a product meets strict environmental standards.
- Common products: Cleaning supplies, paper products, facility maintenance items.
- Learn more: Green Seal Certification
- WD Categories: Janitorial Products & Services, Office Supplies
3. ENERGY STAR: A government-backed symbol for energy efficiency that helps businesses save money and protect the environment.
- Why it matters: Products with this certification use less energy, reducing utility costs and environmental impact.
- Common products: Office equipment, lighting, HVAC systems.
- Learn more: ENERGY STAR Certification
- WD Categories: Copiers, Printers & MPS, MRO, Coffee & Breakroom Equipment
4. UL ECOLOGO®: A third-party certification that verifies products and services have reduced environmental impact.
- Why it matters: Certifies products that meet multi-attribute, lifecycle-based sustainability standards.
- Common products: Cleaning products, paper, printing cartridges, electronics.
- Learn more: UL ECOLOGO Certification
- WD Categories: Janitorial Products & Services, Office Supplies, Copiers, Printers & MPS
5. EPEAT: A global rating system for electronics that assesses products on environmental criteria throughout their life cycle.
- Why it matters: Helps identify electronics with reduced environmental impact throughout their lifecycle.
- Common products: Computers, monitors, printers, mobile phones.
- Learn more: EPEAT Registry
- WD Categories: Copiers, Printers & MPS, Managed IT, MRO
6. BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute): A certification ensuring that products will break down in commercial composting facilities.
- Why it matters: Certifies that products will biodegrade in commercial composting facilities within a specific timeframe.
- Common products: Food service items, packaging materials, bags.
- Learn more: BPI Certification
- WD Categories: FoodService, Coffee & Breakroom, Janitorial Products & Services
7. GREENGUARD: Products tested to ensure they meet strict chemical emissions limits for healthier indoor environments.
- Why it matters: Products certified to have low chemical emissions, contributing to healthier indoor air quality.
- Common products: Office furniture, building materials, cleaning products.
- Learn more: GREENGUARD Certification
- WD Categories: Commercial Furniture & Interiors, MRO, Janitorial Products & Services
8. Fair Trade Certified: Products that meet standards for environmental sustainability and fair labor practices.
- Why it matters: Ensures products were produced according to rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards.
- Common products: Coffee, tea, sugar, cocoa products for breakrooms.
- Learn more: Fair Trade USA
- WD Categories: Coffee & Breakroom Products
Material Classifications
Terms describing the origin and lifecycle of materials used in products.
1. Post-Consumer Waste (PCW): Materials that have been used by consumers and then collected through recycling programs.
- Why it matters: Reduces landfill waste and the need for virgin materials, promoting a circular economy.
- Common products: Recycled paper, packaging materials.
- Learn more: Post-Consumer Waste
- WD Categories: Office Supplies, Print & Promotional Products
2. Pre-Consumer Waste: Waste materials collected during manufacturing before they reach the consumer, such as paper trimmings.
- Why it matters: Utilizes manufacturing by-products, reducing overall waste.
- Common products: Recycled paper, industrial scraps used in new products.
- Learn more: Pre-Consumer Recycling
- WD Categories: Office Supplies, Print & Promotional Products
3. Bioplastics: Plastics made from renewable biological sources like plant starches, cellulose, or vegetable oils instead of petroleum.
- Why it matters: Offers a reduced carbon footprint and can be biodegradable, lessening environmental impact.
- Common products: Food containers, packaging materials.
- Learn more: Bioplastics Overview
- WD Categories: FoodService, Coffee & Breakroom
4. Recyclable: Products or materials that can be collected, processed, and made into new items rather than being thrown away.
- Why it matters: Reduces waste and conserves resources by allowing materials to be reprocessed.
- Common products: Paper, cardboard, many plastics, glass, aluminum.
- Learn more: Recyclable Materials Guide
- WD Categories: Office Supplies, FoodService, Document Finishing & Destruction
5. Remanufactured Products: Products professionally restored to like-new condition by disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling them.
- Why it matters: Reduces waste and resource use while providing quality products at lower costs.
- Common products: Toner cartridges, office furniture, certain equipment parts.
- Learn more: Remanufacturing Industries Council
- WD Categories: Copiers, Printers & MPS, Commercial Furniture & Interiors, Mailroom Equipment
Paper Processing Terms
Terms related to how paper products are manufactured.
1. Processed Chlorine Free (PCF): Recycled paper products bleached without any chlorine compounds.
- Why it matters: Reduces harmful chemical byproducts in paper manufacturing.
- Common products: Copy paper, notebooks, paper towels, tissue products.
- Learn more: Chlorine Free Products Association
- WD Categories: Office Supplies, Janitorial Products & Services
2. Totally Chlorine Free (TCF): Virgin paper products made without chlorine or chlorine compounds in the bleaching process.
- Why it matters: Results in fewer toxins in waterways from paper production.
- Common products: Premium paper products, printing paper, stationery.
- Learn more: Environmental Paper Network
- WD Categories: Office Supplies, Print & Promotional Products
3. Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF): Paper bleached with chlorine dioxide instead of elemental chlorine.
- Why it matters: Reduces harmful byproducts compared to traditional chlorine bleaching.
- Common products: Various paper products, tissues, paper towels.
- Learn more: EPA Paper Manufacturing Information
- WD Categories: Office Supplies, Janitorial Products & Services
Food Container & Packaging Terms
Terms specific to food service packaging solutions.
1. PFAS-Free: Products without per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are synthetic chemicals that don't break down in the environment.
- Why it matters: Reduces exposure to persistent chemicals linked to health concerns.
- Common products: Food packaging, water-resistant containers, non-stick cookware.
- Learn more: FDA PFAS Information
- WD Categories: FoodService, Coffee & Breakroom Products
2. Molded Fiber/Pulp: Packaging made from recycled paper pulp molded into specific shapes for food containers.
- Why it matters: Provides biodegradable and often compostable alternatives to plastic packaging.
- Common products: To-go containers, cup carriers, protective packaging.
- Learn more: Sustainable Packaging Coalition
- WD Categories: FoodService, Print & Promotional Products
3. PLA (Polylactic Acid): A biodegradable plastic substitute made from fermented plant starch (usually corn).
- Why it matters: Offers a plant-based alternative that's compostable in industrial facilities.
- Common products: Cold cups, food containers, utensils, straws.
- Learn more: Biodegradable Products Institute
- WD Categories: FoodService, Coffee & Breakroom Products
Disposal Terms
Terms related to end-of-life processes for products and materials.
1. Biodegradable: Materials that naturally break down into simple compounds through the action of bacteria and microorganisms.
- Why it matters: Reduces long-term pollution by breaking down into natural elements like water and carbon dioxide.
- Common products: Packaging materials, disposable cutlery.
- Learn more: Biodegradable Definition
- WD Categories: FoodService, Janitorial Products & Services
2. Compostable: Materials that break down completely into non-toxic components that can enrich soil when composted.
- Why it matters: Supports waste diversion from landfills and enriches soil health.
- Common products: Compostable cups, plates, and utensils.
- Learn more: Compostable Definition
- WD Categories: FoodService, Coffee & Breakroom Products
3. Refillable/Refill Programs: Products designed with containers that can be refilled rather than discarded after one use.
- Why it matters: Reduces packaging waste and often reduces costs for businesses.
- Common products: Pens, soap dispensers, cleaning product containers, water bottles.
- Learn more: EPA Reuse Information
- WD Categories: Office Supplies, Janitorial Products & Services, Coffee & Breakroom Products
Additional Terms
1. VOC-Free/Low-VOC: Products with reduced or no volatile organic compounds, which evaporate at room temperature.
- Why it matters: Improves indoor air quality and reduces health risks for building occupants.
- Common products: Paints, cleaning supplies, adhesives, furniture.
- Learn more: EPA VOC Information
- WD Categories: Janitorial Products & Services, MRO, Commercial Furniture & Interiors
2. Greenwashing: Marketing tactics that mislead consumers about the environmental benefits of a product or company's practices.
- Why it matters: Helps businesses avoid supporting non-sustainable practices and risking reputational damage.
- Common products: Any product claiming to be "green" or "eco" without third-party certification.
- Learn more: Greenwashing Explained
- WD Categories: All Product Categories
By breaking down these terms, you empower your team to shop with purpose. Warehouse Direct is here to help every step of the way—making sustainability accessible, actionable, and aligned with your business goals. Need assistance finding sustainable options for your workplace? Contact your Warehouse Direct representative today.