Environmental Terms Explained / Being Green

Environmental Terms
Renewable / Sustainable Resource:
A resource which can be sustained at current levels if current consumption trend continues. As conventional plastics are derived from oil, they are not sustainable resources. Paper and board derived from properly managed timber is a sustainable resource.

Biodegradable:
Biodegradable items are those in which the degradation results from the action of naturally occuring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae. 

Compostable:
Where products are correctly described as compostable, this refers to their suitability for treatment in a commercial composter where they are exposed to the optimal amounts of sunlight, temperature and moisture to break-down in a set period of time. The European Standard EN13432 is one of the most globally recognised accreditations for composting, and outlines the criteria a product must meet to be considered 100% compostable.

Recyclable:
A product or material is recyclable if it can be separated, collected and remanufactured into a new product. Recycling facilites vary widely between countries, so it is best policy to check the capability of your local authorities

Being Green
Every year, around 500 billion plastic bags are disposed of worldwide. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has identified the prolific use of plastic bags as being one of the deadliest contributors to global pollution. Not only do plastic bags pollute our environment and are responsible for the deaths of many millions of marine and wildlife species, but the processes used to make them also has a negative effect on our eco-systems. During the manufacturing process of plastic bags, deadly by-products are created which include cancer causing benzene and hydrogen cyanide gases which poison our atmosphere, soil and water sources. Because plastic does not decompose easily, and requires high energy ultra-violet light to break down, the amount of plastic waste on our streets, oceans and in landfills is growing at an alarming rate.

It is imperative that businesses and individuals respond to this dangerous threat posed to the environment by switching over to reusable and recyclable forms of packaging thereby safe-guarding the environment for future generations.

Climate Change
Climate change is the biggest challenge facing life on Earth today. Feeding the needs of the consumer society means pumping carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere - changing its composition and so making the earth warmer. The impact is already being felt. Extreme weather, drought, an increase in malaria, the melting of ice sheets, rises in sea levels and the disappearance of coral reefs have all been attributed to global warming produced by CO2 emissions.

The Kyoto Protocol commits its member countries to an overall 8% reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2012. As part of Kyoto the European Union (EU) has a fixed allocation of CO2 which is available for industry. Large companies have an allocation of "carbon credits" which can be traded on the market -- the so called Emissions Trading Scheme or ETS. The overall allocation of carbon credits is scheduled to reduce year on year.

About Us • Our Quality Guarantee • Meet the Team