Sustainability is a movement, a responsibility, and a necessary shift in how we live and consume. But with so many terms thrown around, it can get overwhelming. What does "carbon footprint" actually mean? How is "circular economy" different from "recycling"? And why does everyone keep talking about "net zero"?
If you are trying to live more sustainably or just want to understand the conversation better, this guide will walk you through the most important terms in sustainability - explained in a natural, easy-to-digest way.
Quick links
- Biodiversity
- Biodegradable vs. compostable
- Carbon footprint
- Carbon offsetting
- Circular economy
- Conscious consumerism
- Eco-friendly
- Ethical supply chains
- Greenwashing
- Microplastics
- Net zero
- Regenerative agriculture
- Renewable energy
- Sustainable fashion
- Upcycling vs. recycling
- Zero waste
Biodiversity
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth—plants, animals, microorganisms and ecosystems. It's crucial because different species interact in ways that keep ecosystems stable. However, deforestation, pollution, and climate change are rapidly reducing biodiversity. Protecting biodiversity means preserving natural habitats, avoiding products linked to deforestation (like palm oil-based items), and supporting conservation efforts.
Biodegradable vs. compostable
The term biodegradable can be misleading because, technically, almost everything will break down eventually - it just depends on how long it takes and what’s left behind. A banana peel decomposes in weeks, while a so-called “biodegradable” plastic bag might take decades, leaving behind microplastics that pollute the environment.
On the other hand, compostable means that a material will fully break down within a controlled period, either in a home compost bin or an industrial composting facility, without leaving toxic residues. Compostable materials return to the earth as nutrients rather than pollutants.
Carbon footprint
Your carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) you produce, usually measured in carbon dioxide (CO₂) equivalents. It comes from things like driving a car, using electricity, and even the food you eat. The goal of sustainability is to reduce this footprint through energy efficiency, cleaner transportation, and smarter consumption choices.
Did you know? Eating less meat and dairy can significantly reduce your carbon footprint since animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon offsetting
Carbon offsetting allows individuals or businesses to "cancel out" their emissions by funding environmental projects, like reforestation or renewable energy initiatives. While not a perfect solution, it helps balance out unavoidable emissions.
For example, if you take a flight, you might offset the carbon footprint by donating to a project that plants trees or invests in clean energy.
Circular economy
Unlike the traditional "take, make, waste" model, a circular economy keeps resources in use for as long as possible. Instead of throwing things away, products and materials are designed to be repaired, reused, or recycled efficiently.
For example, a company making compostable phone cases or refillable bottles is embracing the circular economy. This concept is key to reducing waste and conserving resources. One such initiative is our agood loop™, which lets customers return their old cases so the materials can be repurposed into future production, ensuring greater circularity and reducing waste.
Conscious consumerism
Every purchase you make has an impact. Conscious consumerism means choosing products that align with your values, whether that’s supporting sustainable brands, avoiding companies with poor labour practices, or opting for second-hand goods instead of new ones. It’s about making conscious choices that help create a fairer, more sustainable world.
Eco-friendly (but is anything really eco-friendly?)
The term eco-friendly is everywhere, on products, packaging, and marketing campaigns. It suggests that something is good for the environment, but the truth is nothing human-made is truly eco-friendly.
Every product, no matter how sustainable, requires resources to be made, transported, and eventually disposed of. The key is looking for products that minimise environmental harm rather than eliminate it entirely.
For example, a reusable stainless steel bottle is far better than buying plastic bottles, but it still has an environmental impact due to mining and manufacturing. However, if the bottle is made from recycled steel, such as our thermal bottles or a new 2-in-1 hybrid bottle, it significantly reduces the need for new raw materials, cutting down on extraction and energy use. The goal is to choose better, not perfect, opting for durable, recyclable, and responsibly sourced items rather than disposable, wasteful alternatives.
Be wary of vague "eco-friendly" labels. Instead, check for specific certifications like FSC (for responsible forestry), B Corp (for ethical business practices), or Cradle to Cradle (for circular design).
Ethical supply chains
A truly sustainable product also considers the people involved in making it. Ethical supply chains ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and responsible sourcing of materials. Brands committed to ethical supply chains often provide transparency about their manufacturing process and partner with fair trade organisations.
Greenwashing
Greenwashing happens when companies pretend to be eco-friendly without actually making meaningful changes. It’s when a brand slaps the word "sustainable" on a product but doesn’t back it up with real action.
To avoid falling for greenwashing, look for transparency - check certifications like B Corp, Fair Trade, or Cradle to Cradle, and read about a company's actual sustainability efforts rather than just its marketing claims.
Microplastics
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles (smaller than 5mm) that come from broken-down plastic waste, synthetic fabrics, and even beauty products like exfoliating scrubs. These particles end up in our oceans, harming marine life and even entering our food chain. Reducing microplastics involves cutting down on single-use plastics, using natural fibre clothing, and avoiding personal care products with plastic beads.
Net zero
Net zero means balancing the greenhouse gases we emit with the amount we remove from the atmosphere. In other words, we are not adding more carbon than the Earth can absorb. This is a major goal for companies and governments worldwide as they fight climate change.
A common way to reach net zero is by cutting emissions and investing in carbon offsets, such as planting trees or funding renewable energy projects.
Regenerative agriculture
This is a step beyond organic farming. Regenerative agriculture not only avoids harmful chemicals but also actively improves the environment by enriching soil, increasing biodiversity, and capturing carbon from the atmosphere. Farmers practicing regenerative agriculture use techniques like cover cropping, composting, and rotational grazing to make the land healthier while producing food.
Renewable energy
Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) are major contributors to climate change. Renewable energy comes from sources that naturally replenish, like solar, wind, and hydropower. Switching to renewable energy reduces reliance on polluting fuels, lowers emissions, and helps fight global warming. Many households and businesses are now investing in solar panels or choosing green energy providers.
Sustainable fashion
Fast fashion, the industry of cheap, mass-produced clothing, has a massive environmental impact, from excessive water use to exploitative labour conditions. Sustainable fashion is the alternative: brands that focus on ethical production, durable materials, and circular design.
Look for brands that use organic cotton, recycled fabrics, or plant-based dyes, and consider second-hand shopping to reduce waste. But beware - not all brands claiming to be “eco-friendly” actually are. Several major brands have been caught greenwashing, misleading customers about their sustainability efforts.
Upcycling vs. recycling
Now let's see the difference between recycling and upcycling. Recycling is the process of breaking down waste and turning it into new materials (like melting down plastic bottles to create new ones). However, recycling has its limits - some materials degrade in quality each time they are processed.
Upcycling, on the other hand, takes waste materials and creatively repurposes them into something new without breaking them down first. For example, turning old denim jeans into stylish tote bags is upcycling.
Zero waste
Zero waste is a philosophy that aims to send nothing to landfills or incinerators. It focuses on reusing, composting, and recycling as much as possible. A zero-waste lifestyle involves simple swaps: using a refillable water bottle instead of disposable plastic, bringing reusable grocery bags, or composting food scraps instead of tossing them in the trash.
Final thoughts
Sustainability isn’t about perfection - it’s about progress. Understanding these key terms can help you navigate the world of sustainability with confidence, make more informed choices, and contribute to a healthier planet.
Which of these terms do you think is most important? Or is there another sustainability concept you would like to learn more about? Explore our sustainability dictionary for even more insights, and let’s keep the conversation going!
