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The bleaching process, unless done with non-chlorine-based bleach, produces dioxins. These toxins do not break down when released into water and as they move up the food chain, increase in concentration; becoming the most toxic by the time they reach humans. |
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Made in a neutral pH process that increases the longevity of the paper. |
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Derived from natural, non-synthetic, materials, though with the exception of meat-products, the term is legally meaningless. |
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An independent certification by the Art & Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) to indicate that an 'Approved Product' does not include any ingredients in quantities that would be harmful to the health of children or adults. |
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| Approved for organic gardening |
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Products that do not contain any materials that would hinder organic gardening. |
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These colorants can be made from petroleum, coal or heavy metals, which means that they are less likely to degrade in the environment. Artificial dyes may also have a toxic effect on living organisms, causing allergies and skin or eye irritation. They are often added to a product to influence purchasing behaviors, but do not improve the product itself. |
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These additives may be made from petroleum or heavy metals and therefore are less likely to degrade in the environment. Artificial fragrances also can have toxic effects on living organisms, causing allergies and skin or eye irritations. They can be added to a product to influence purchasing behaviors, but do not necessarily improve the product itself. |
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The chronic hazard labeling standard established by the U.S. labeling law. Under ASTM D 4236, art materials must be labeled to indicate chronic health hazards, the ingredients causing those hazards, and directions for safe use of the product. |
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The "Standard Specification for Compostable Plastics", as defined by ASTM International. This specification covers plastics and products made from plastics that are designed to be composted in municipal and industrial aerobic composting facilities. The properties in the specification are required to assure that the degradation of these materials will not diminish the value or utility of the compost resulting from the composting process. |
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The "Standard Specification for Biodegradable Plastics Used as Coatings on Paper and Other Compostable Substrates." This specification covers biodegradable plastics and products (including packaging), where a plastic film or sheet is attached to substrates and the entire product or package is designed to be composted in municipal and industrial aerobic composting facilities. |
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ASTM International (ASTM), originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, is an international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services. |
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The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture defined bio-based products in 2002 as any manufactured, commercial, or industrial good (non-food) that is composed, in whole or in significant part, of biological products, renewable agricultural materials, or forestry materials, generated within the United States. The benefits of buying bio-based products, as promoted by the US Deptartment of Agriculture include: decreasing dependence on petroleum-based products, improving the envrionment by using non-toxic and renewable resources, creating new jobs for rural communities and providing new markets for farm commodities. |
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A substance that the body generally accepts without a major immune response. A biocompatible material is not toxic and does not cause injury or immunologic damage to living tissue. |
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Capable of "breaking down" through the action of living organisms such as bacteria and fungi. Biodegradable matter is generally organic material such as plant and animal matter, however new innovations in plastic production have created biodegradable plastics as well. It is important to note that not all biodegradable plastics are compostable; some biodegradable plastics break down into small pieces of non-organic matter, which can be harmful to the environment. |
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Having to do with, or derived from, plants. |
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Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) is a not-for-profit association of individuals and groups from government, industry and academia which performs third-party certification of compostable products. BPI does not create standards, but demonstrates products meet the requirements in ASTM D6400 or D6868, based on testing in an approved laboratory. The BPI certification logo ensures that a product is compostable. |
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A technical measurement of the light reflected back from the paper, with 100 being the highest. |
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A substance that is added to formulations to change the properties of water (especially hardness and pH) and bolster a surfactant's performance. Builders vary in toxicity and potential to cause human health and environmental effects. |
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A substance that can cause cancer or cancer growth. |
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| &bsp; |
