As our world becomes increasingly more “eco-conscious”, you are bound to come across some terms or phrases you either are not familiar with or don’t completely understand. Here are a few terms whose definition may help as you wade through all things green:

BIODEGRADEABLE – the ability of a material to naturally break down when left completely alone for a period of time. Biodegradable substances will absorb naturally and safely back into the eco-system with the help of microorganisms.

CARBON OFFSETS – units purchased to make up for carbon units emitted by a particular function such as travel. Funds raised by the purchase of carbon offsets are used towards planting carbon absorbing trees, for green research and other green activities to be determined by the purchaser.

FREEGAN – a person who salvages discarded food items from dumpsters for any of a variety of reasons: environmentalism, frugality, anti-consumerism, etc.

GUERLLA GARDENING – the practice of growing plants, flowers and foliage on abandoned, vacant and otherwise unmaintained land that does not belong to the individual but whose improvement can be enjoyed by all.

GREY WATER – waste water containing no serious pollutants, such as fecal matter or sewage, that can be reused for other purposes after filtration; usually comes from residential water usage such as shower, sink or washing machine runoff.

POST CONSUMER WASTE – items or materials discarded by a consumer that are taken to a recycling center rather than a landfill.