The ultimate sustainability glossary

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As the fashion and beauty industry makes great strides in the world of sustainability, keeping up with the science can be difficult. While we do our best to buy from the right brands (our no-sew series winners and enduring labels on your fashion radar), opt for rentals where we can, buy second-hand and take good care of our clothes, there’s still some confusion that comes with being a responsible shopper. After all, what are the terms you see popping up time and time again from your favorite brands? That is.?

Confusing jargon, daunting statistics and overwhelming data means understanding our own impact – as consumers and beyond – can feel overwhelming. The best place to start is to familiarize yourself with the language, which will help you make a more informed choice when shopping. Check out our most used AZ guide below.

B Corporation

B Corp (or B Corporations) certification means that the brands are certified by B Lab; They meet high sustainability standards such as social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Many of our favorite ecosystem brands are B Corp certified – as well as some rental platforms like HURR – making it easy to know who to trust.

Series Preview for Sustainability: Design with Copenhagen Fashion Week

Perishable

Without causing any harm to the planet, the materials used to create clothes and products are used over time thanks to the creatures in the environment.

Carbon neutral

Working towards carbon neutrality means reducing and preventing carbon emissions so clothing has a smaller impact on the planet. Lisa Sexton, founder of Bolt Beauty, says: “Being carbon neutral means that the amount of carbon dioxide produced (such as from burning fossil fuels) is equal to or less than the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed or absorbed. , a brand with sustainability at its core. “Carbon neutrality is about ensuring that we emit zero carbon dioxide through our operations or lifestyle. It’s a term that can be applied to brands, other businesses and individuals.”

Copenhagen Fashion Week street style

Christian Virig//Getty Images

Carbon footprint

A carbon footprint is a way of measuring the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere by an individual, business, organization or society as a whole.

Roundness

Circularity occurs as each part of the garment’s life cycle is cyclical and ultimately has less impact on the environment. This starts with sustainable design, followed by fair and ethical production and ensuring that when a piece is worn, the next step is handled responsibly – from repair and redesign to the rental and second-hand sales market.

Eco-stress

Eco-anxiety is defined as “a chronic fear of environmental destruction,” when the worry of climate change dominates your daily thoughts and daily life.

atmospheric problem

The greenhouse effect occurs when gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap heat from the Sun, warming our planet. When it is at the natural level, it is necessary for life on our planet. However, burning fossil fuels – such as coal and oil – changes the Earth’s natural state by putting more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Green washing

Greenwashing is when brands pretend to be eco-conscious on the surface, without making the necessary changes to do so. Model and environmental activist Arizona Moses spoke earlier. Bazaar She believes that as times change, we need to redefine the term. “Greenwashing is anything that promotes something you haven’t done yet,” she explains. “Greenwashing is creating this information, which is completely misleading to consumers trying to educate themselves. It makes it more difficult for everyone.”

IPCC

The IPCC is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – a part of the United Nations that assesses the science behind climate change. It produces important reports about the current climate crisis, its impact, future risk and how we can reduce its size.

Net zero

Net zero is achieved when greenhouse gas emissions – including carbon dioxide and methane – are balanced by removing or offsetting emissions into the atmosphere.

Organic

If a garment is organic, it means that it is made from natural materials without the use of harmful chemicals. You may see organic cotton on the rails, for example, made without using any processes that harm the environment.

Floral wedding dresses

Eric Madigan Heck for Harper’s Bazaar

Tracking ability

“Traceability describes the origin, movement and evolution of products and materials,” explains TrustTrack, a supply chain transparency and product tracking platform in the fashion and retail industries. “It sounds simple, but in reality, it’s incredibly complex to achieve traceability, especially for large brands with thousands of products and suppliers across the value chain spread across multiple continents.”

Upcycle

Upcycle is taking old clothes and giving them a new lease of life, redesigning them and making them something completely new. This is important when thinking about sustainability, because it prevents new or raw materials from being used, and also reduces the amount of water and energy needed to produce new clothes.

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