GLOSSARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTINABILITY TERMS
Fact Sheet
benefit sharing A business partnership built upon the fair and equitable sharing of benefits.
Aveda sources tamanu oil for its skincare and hair care products from the
Industrial Botanicals Corporation on Vanuatu, in the Pacific islands. The
partnership is an example of benefit sharing: five percent of all Industrial
Botanicals’ sales (cost of goods) is placed in the Vanuatu Convention on
Biological Diversity Trust Fund (VCBDTF) to support local schools.
biological nutrients Renewable resources that can either recycled or composted at the end of
their lifetime—returning nutrients to the soil. For example, plant material
(leaves, wood, paper) are biodegradable; petroleum is not.
Aveda designs products and packaging that are as biodegradable as
possible. From non-petroleum based ingredients in our formulas to packaging
materials that can be recycled or composted, Aveda designs with the end of
product life in mind.
biodiversity Short for biological diversity; the United Nations Environment Program defines
biodiversity as “the variety of life in all its forms, levels and combinations.”
Attention to biodiversity generally refers to the increasing loss of biodiversity
when natural habitats threatened by construction, pollution, or other human
activity.
Aveda is dedicated to helping preserve biodiversity. For example, the
Company’s Earth Month 2000 initiatives focused on “Habitat and Biodiversity”
and raised funds and collected signatures in a petition to protect biodiversity.
biodynamic A holistic farming system that treats all aspects of a farm—mineral, plant,
animal, and human—as part of a self-contained ecosystem. Going beyond
organics, biodynamic farming considers the impact that plant growth has on
the earth and universe.
Aveda’s Pure Essence line is made with biodynamic essential oils. In the
Company’s search for the highest quality essential oils, Aveda has found that
biodynamic raw materials are rare and difficult to find. Aveda has limited the
use of biodynamic essential oils to The Pure Essences line due to this
extremely limited supply—and is sourcing globally in an effort to increase this
capacity.
carbon dioxide A heavy, colorless, odorless gas that is a normal part of ambient air. CO2 is a
(CO2) bi-product of fossil fuel combustion and although it does not directly impair
human health, it is a greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to global
warming. The U.S. releases approximately 40,000 pounds of CO2 per person
each year.
Glossary of Environmental Sustainability Terms
Over the past decade, Aveda has initiated a number of energy conservation
projects to help reduce CO2 emissions. As of July 1st, 2006, one hundred
percent of the electrical usage at Aveda’s distribution center and primary
manufacturing facility in Blaine, MN is offset by its wind energy purchase. By
using 100% certified wind energy, Aveda helps keep 7.2 million pounds of
carbon dioxide, the primary contributor to global warming, out of the
atmosphere each year.
carbon offset A service that reduces the net greenhouse gas ("carbon") emissions of a party
by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions—or increasing the carbon dioxide
absorption—of another party. The goal of carbon offsets is to combat global
warming.
One hundred percent of the electrical usage at Aveda’s distribution center
and primary manufacturing facility in Blaine, Minn. is now offset by its wind
energy purchase.
certified organic A food or cosmetic ingredient that has been grown according to strict uniform
standards which have been verified by a third party, independent state or
private organization. For raw materials, certification includes inspections of
farm fields and processing facilities, detailed record keeping and periodic
testing of soil and water to ensure that growers and handlers are meeting the
set standards.
Aveda defines “certified organic” in accordance with US and international
organic certification standards. Since 1996, the Aveda Production Facility in
Minnesota has been certified according to organic food certification standards
(by Quality Assurance International, www.qai-inc.com).
CERES The Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies, a U.S. coalition of
environmental, investor, and advocacy groups working together for a
sustainable future. Members are a community of forward-looking companies
that have committed to continuous environmental improvement by endorsing
the CERES Principles, a ten-point code of environmental conduct.
Aveda is the first privately held company to endorse the CERES Principles
(then called the Valdez Principles). www.ceres.org
Corporate Social CSR is a corporate commitment to improving quality of life alongside
Responsibility (CSR) economic development. From creating a healthy work environment for
employees to caring for families, the local community and society at large,
CSR is based upon capacity building for sustainable livelihoods. CSR ensures
the respect of cultural differences, ethical behavior and a connection to
society that “gives back”. (Source: World Business Council for Sustainable
Development).
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Glossary of Environmental Sustainability Terms
closing the loop Creating a strong market for recycled products is key to completing the
(of recycling) recycling process or “closing the loop.” Consumers close the loop when they
purchase products made from recycled materials. Businesses and
governments can promote buying recycled products through their own
purchasing programs. Manufacturers can participate by using recycled
materials in their products.
cradle-to-cradle A manufacturing process in which the waste of one system becomes the raw
materials of another.
Aveda has worked with consultant and environmental watchdog, Michael
Braungart, author of the book “Cradle to Cradle” to create a seamless system
for the company. Braungart is a chemist and founder of the Environmental
Protection Encouragement Agency (EPEA) in Hamburg.
cradle-to-grave An assessment considering environmental impact at each stage of a
product’s life cycle. Assessment begins when natural resources are extracted
from the ground, continuing through each subsequent stage of manufacturing,
transportation, produce use, and disposal.
decompose See biodegradable.
endangered species Species that are in imminent danger of extinction, due typically to loss of
habitat, loss of food sources, pollution, increase in predators or dramatic shifts
in climate. Studies show that 50 to 100 species become extinct every day,
and the extinction of a single plant species may result in the disappearance of
30 other plant and animal species.
Aveda’s 2005-2006 Earth Month campaigns focused on Endangered Plant
Species, raising $2.5 million dollars to help protect plants from extinction.
Forest Stewardship An independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization that supports
Council (FSC) environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable
management of the world’s forests. The FSC evaluates and accredits
certifiers, encouraging the development of national and regional forest
management standards. The organization also provides public education and
information about independent, third-party certification as a tool for ensuring
that the world's forests are protected for future generations. The FSC was
founded in 1993 by environmental and conservation groups, the timber
industry, the forestry profession, indigenous peoples' organizations,
community forestry groups and forest product certification organizations from
25 countries. www.fscus.org
Aveda sources FSC certified pallets for international shipments and is
working to source the pallets for all of its shipping needs. Aveda also sources
FSC certified wood for building materials and makeup pencils.
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Glossary of Environmental Sustainability Terms
GE/GMOs Genetically engineered or genetically modified organisms that have had
genes from other species transferred into their genetic material. The use of
GMOs is prohibited in organic certification.
high-density A type of plastic commonly used in the USA to make milk jugs and other rigid
polyethylene plastic bottles. HDPE is the most frequently recycled plastic.
(HDPE)
Aveda uses HDPE for most shampoo and conditioner bottles, much of which
is post-consumer material that can also be recycled after use.
indigenous lands The total environment of land, air, water, sea, sea-ice, flora and fauna, and
and territories other resources which indigenous peoples have traditionally owned or
occupied.
(Source: Draft Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Part IV).
indigenous peoples The existing descendants of peoples who originally inhabited the territory of a
country that has been threatened by conquest, settlement, or other means.
Indigenous peoples’ livelihood and culture have been overcome by a group of
different culture or ethnic origin, who attempt to reduce them to a nondominant or colonial situation. As a result, indigenous peoples often live more
in conformity with other social, economic and cultural customs and traditions
than their own.
Source: UN Working Group on Indigenous Peoples
natural The term “natural” can be confusing; anything derived from natural sources is
considered “natural”—even crude oil, a non-renewable resource.
Aveda uses the term “plant based” to avoid confusion. Aveda products are
made with sustainable, plant-derived raw materials.
non-governmental An organization mobilized to achieve a certain goal within a given system––
organization social, environmental, political, and economic. Non-governmental
(NGO) organizations are international, national, regional or local in scope. They are
similar in function to for-profit businesses except they do not have owners and
do not declare profits. Revenue available after normal operating expenses is
channeled to programs. Most NGO’s are also independent of government.
Aveda partners with NGO’s around the world committed to challenges such
as: biodiversity preservation, the protection of indigenous cultures and the
development of environmental leaders.
non-renewable Natural resources that can be used up completely or to such a degree that it
resources is economically impractical to obtain more. Examples include: coal, crude oil,
and metal ores.
organic A substance derived naturally from a living organism. The term organic, used
alone, does not guarantee that it is certified organic.
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Glossary of Environmental Sustainability Terms
petrochemicals Chemicals obtained by refining (i.e., distilling) crude oil. Petrochemicals are
used as raw materials in the manufacture of most industrial chemicals,
fertilizers, pesticides, plastics, synthetic fibers, paints, medicines, and many
other products.
polyethylene A type of plastic commonly used in plastic soda and water bottles.
terephthalate
(PET or PETE) Aveda uses 100% PCR PET in its makeup clamshells and certain other
packaging.
post-consumer recycled Material that has served its intended purpose and been placed into the
material (PCR) recycling stream to be reused. For example, a used shampoo bottle that is
recycled and remanufactured into a new bottle.
Aveda has increased the amount of PCR content in its shampoo bottles from
20% in 1990 to a minimum of 80% in 2007. Aveda sells approximately 15
million shampoo bottles each year; switching to PCR has reduced the
company’s need for over 300 tons of virgin high density polyethylene
annually.
pre-consumer recycled Material that has not served its intended purpose but has been placed into the
material recycling stream for reuse. Example: An overrun of a magazine that was
never sold, but comes back for recycling and is remanufactured into other
paper products.
product life cycle The complete, life cycle of a product cycle, including: extraction of raw
materials, manufacture, packaging, transportation, use and disposal.
recyclable Material that can be recycled and reused in place of a raw or virgin material in
the manufacturing of a product (for example, paper, plastic and used oil are
recyclable materials).
recycled content Product content which is made from recycled materials diverted from the
waste stream. Recycled content is usually stated as a percentage by weight
(and does not distinguish between pre- and post- consumer recycled
material).
Aveda’s makeup outer clamshell/package cartons for Lip Concentrate, Lip
Glaze and Lip Liner are molded from 100% PCR newsprint—resulting in 70%
less energy consumption and 73% less air pollution than if virgin paper were
used.
recycling The process by which materials that might otherwise be destined for disposal
are instead used to manufacture new products. In basic terms, successful
recycling requires four sequential steps: 1) collection of recyclable materials;
2) intermediate processing to remove contaminants and sort and compact
materials for shipping; 3) manufacture of new products; and 4) purchase of
products containing recycled materials by businesses and individual
consumers.
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Glossary of Environmental Sustainability Terms
renewable resource A natural resource, such as wind, solar energy, geothermal energy, trees and
fish, whose supply can (in theory) is never exhausted, usually because it is
continually produced. Even renewable resources can be depleted if used
unsustainably (e.g., over fishing, clearcutting in forests).
sustainable development Defined by the Brundtland Commission as: “development that meets the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs.”
Aveda believes that concepts of sustainability are still evolving and that
stakeholders have yet to adopt a consensus understanding of the term.
sustainably harvested A plant or resource has been harvested so that the resource can regenerate
itself and its habitat has not been depleted or destroyed.
traceability Certified organic ingredients that can be traced directly to its source.
Aveda’s “chain of custody” refers to a deep knowledge of our ingredients’
integrity from Soil to BottleSM.
Sources
Definitions for glossary terms were derived from the following:

Business Guide to Waste Reduction and Recycling

Business Guide for Reducing Solid Waste, 1993.

Environment Canada: Fresh Water Glossary

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Terms of the Environment http://www.epa.gov/OCEPAterms

EPA Paper Task Force

EPA WasteWise Tip Sheet, “Recycling Collection” and “Buying or Manufacturing Recycled Products”
January 1994

European Environment Agency Glossary http://glossary.eea.eu.int/EEAGlossary

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Glossary of Terms

International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Idea Digest: Word Watch Glossary
http://www.iisd.org/didigest/glossary.htm

Organic Alliance

St. Paul Neighborhood Energy Consortium

Resourceful Waste Management: A Guide for Minnesota Metropolitan Area Businesses and Industries
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