Green procurement and sustainable materials management
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Waste Management and Recycling course at London School of Business and Administration. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Green Procurement #
The process of acquiring goods and services that have a reduced environmental impact compared to traditional options, while still meeting the needs of the organization. This can include considerations such as energy efficiency, reduced waste, use of sustainable materials, and ethical production methods.
Sustainable Materials Management #
The practice of using and reusing materials in a way that is sustainable and reduces environmental impact. This can include reducing the amount of materials used, increasing the durability and reusability of products, and properly managing waste and end-of-life disposal.
Life #
cycle Assessment (LCA): A method used to evaluate the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its entire life-cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. This can include considerations such as energy use, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon Footprint #
The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Renewable Energy #
Energy sources that are replenished naturally and continuously, such as solar, wind, and hydro power.
Energy Efficiency #
The use of less energy to provide the same level of energy service.
Waste Hierarchy #
A ranking of waste management options, in order of preference, starting with waste prevention and reduction, followed by reuse, recycling, energy recovery, and disposal as a last resort.
Circular Economy #
An economic system that is restorative and regenerative by design, and that aims to keep products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value at all times, distinguishing between technical and biological cycles.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) #
A policy approach in which manufacturers and importers of products are given a significant responsibility for the environmental impacts of their products throughout their entire life cycle, including after the consumer has disposed of them.
Design for Environment (DfE) #
The practice of integrating environmental considerations into the design of products and services, with the goal of reducing their environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle.
Green Building #
The practice of designing, constructing, and operating buildings in a way that reduces or eliminates their negative impact on the environment and occupants.
Sustainable Supply Chain Management #
The integration of environmental, social, and economic considerations into supply chain management, with the goal of reducing the overall impact of the supply chain on the environment and society.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions #
The release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap heat and contribute to global warming and climate change.
ISO 14001 #
An international standard for environmental management systems (EMS) that provides a framework for organizations to manage their environmental impacts in a systematic and cost-effective manner.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) #
A green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices.
Sustainable Agriculture #
The practice of producing food and fiber in a way that is environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.
Green Chemistry #
The design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances.
Cleaner Production #
The continuous application of an integrated preventive environmental strategy to processes, products, and services to increase efficiency and reduce risks to humans and the environment.
Green Marketing #
The practice of promoting and selling products and services based on their environmental benefits.
Sustainability Reporting #
The practice of publicly disclosing information about an organization's environmental, social, and governance performance.
Green Jobs #
Jobs that contribute to preserving or restoring the environment, in traditional sectors such as manufacturing and construction, or in emerging green sectors like renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Sustainable Transportation #
The practice of moving people and goods in a way that is environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.
Green IT #
The practice of using information technology in a way that reduces its environmental impact, through energy-efficient hardware and software, virtualization, and telecommuting.
Greenwashing #
The practice of making false or misleading claims about the environmental benefits of a product or service.
Carbon Offsetting #
The practice of investing in environmental projects to balance out carbon emissions, often through the purchase of carbon credits.
Natural Capital #
The stock of natural assets, such as forests, water, and air, that provide valuable goods and services, such as food, clean water, and climate regulation.
Biodiversity #
The variety of different species of plants, animals, and microorganisms that live in an ecosystem.
Eco #
labeling: The practice of using labels to indicate the environmental performance of a product or service.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) #
The self-regulating business model that helps a company be socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders, and the public.
Zero Waste #
A goal that is both practical and visionary, to guide people to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.
Industrial Symbiosis #
The practice of creating closed-loop industrial systems, where the waste of one industry becomes the input for another, creating a circular economy.
Cradle to Cradle #
A design and manufacturing approach that considers the entire life-cycle of a product, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal, with the goal of eliminating waste and creating products that can be endlessly cycled.
Biodegradable #
A material that can be broken down by microorganisms into simple substances found in nature, such as water, carbon dioxide, and biomass.
Compostable #
A material that can be broken down by microorganisms into simple substances found in nature, such as water, carbon dioxide, and biomass, and can be used to enrich soil.
Recyclable #
A material that can be collected, processed, and manufactured into new products after its original use, thus saving resources and energy.
Remanufacturing #
The process of disassembling a product, cleaning, inspecting, and replacing parts, and reassembling the product into a like-new condition.
Upcycling #
The process of transforming waste materials, useless, or unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value.
Downcycling #
The process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of lesser quality.
Hazardous Waste #
Waste that poses a substantial danger to public health and the environment, and is regulated by laws and regulations.
Non #
Hazardous Waste: Waste that does not pose a substantial danger to public health and the environment.
Solid Waste #
Any garbage or refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility, and other discarded materials, including solid, liquid, semisolid, or contained gaseous materials resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, and agricultural operations, and from community activities.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) #
Waste generated by residential, commercial, and institutional sources, and collected by local governments for disposal or recycling.
Industrial Waste #
Waste generated by industrial and manufacturing processes, including hazardous and non-hazardous waste.
Construction and Demolition (C&D) Waste #
Waste generated during the construction, renovation, and demolition of buildings and other structures.
Medical Waste #
Waste generated by healthcare activities, including needles, syringes, and other sharp objects, as well as biohazardous materials.
E #
Waste: Waste generated by electronic products, including computers, televisions, and mobile devices.
Hazardous Materials Management #
The practice of handling, storing, transporting, and disposing of hazardous materials in