Environment buzz words V to Z

The last part in the Eco Glossary series with a look at Environment buzz words from V to Z. View the explanations of each phrase below.

Environment buzz words V

Vermicomposting

A compost that uses worms to help decompose your vegetable and biodegrable household scraps – producing soil which is full of nutrients.

Virgin Product

Products that do not contain any recycled content, manufactured with 100% new materials.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

A toxic chemical contained within and then released as a gas from materials such as paint, glue, sealant, solvent and petrol over time. Found in most items of furniture and surface finishes. These vapours have a negative affect on the environment and human health.

Environment buzz words W

Waste

Anything that is classed as rubbish, whether at the end of the product lifespan or not. Anything that cannot be used, is damaged, is no longer needed, is left over, unwanted etc. This breaks down into: agricultural, animal, chemical, commercial, compostable, consumer, demolition, domestic, household, hazardous, industrial, packaging, medical etc.

Waste Management

A manufacturing and construction term for managing waste; reduction, prevention, disposal and collection.

Waste to Energy / Waste to Fuel Process

When industrial waste is burnt to create energy through steam, electricity or heat.

Waste Neutral

When the weight in kilos/pounds for products that are to be recycled IS THE SAME amount as the weight of products to be made from the recycled products. This means that there will not be any waste.

Waste Reduction / Waste Minimisation

An effort to limit the amount of waste created from the beginning to the end of a product lifecycle to reduce the environmental impact from continual filling landfill sites.

Whole Life Carbon(WLc)

A revision of the term embodied energy, changing the focus from energy used to carbon created as not all energy has a negative effect on the environment.