Glossary

Decode the eco-speak with our friendly glossary list of green buzzwords and certifications.

Energy Star: Run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy as part of a national effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Energy Star program evaluates consumer products and buildings for their energy efficiency. Products meeting certain standards earn an Energy Star label.
Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT): Created by the Environmental Protection Agency and the nonprofit Greener Electronics Council, EPEAT rates computers and monitors based on 51 criteria over eight categories that cover toxics reduction, recycled content, energy efficiency, ease of recycling, product longevity, company environmental performance, product takeback and recycling programs and packaging. Computers and monitors are awarded a rating of bronze, silver or gold based on their performance. "Gold"-rated computers meet all required criteria plus at least 75 percent of the optional criteria that apply to the product type being registered.
Ethanol: Ethyl alcohol used as an automotive fuel. It can be manufactured from very common materials, such as corn, and can be mass-produced through the fermentation of sugars or the hydration of ethylene from petroleum and other sources.
Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA): A less-toxic alternative to PVC used in sports shoes.
Endosulfan: A pesticide which has been banned in many countries, excluding the U.S. and India where it is used in cashew production. It presents health risks to farm workers and those living near where the chemical is used. In December 2003, Environmental Health Perspectives published a study linking endosulfan to delayed sexual maturation in boys in India. Animal studies indicate that the pesticide attacks the central nervous system, and can cause damage to the kidneys, testes and liver. It is highly toxic to animals and fish as well.