Meaning of Green - Pristine Planet

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Tag Definitions - Shop by Cause
Biodegradable: Biodegradable materials are generally plant-based, animal-based or natural mineral-based products. The European Union deems a material biodegradable if it will break down into mostly water, carbon dioxide and organic matter within six months. Applies to: household cleaners, personal care items, alternatives to plastics specifically designed to biodegrade
Conflict Free: Conflict-free diamonds and jewelry are of a certified origin and are guaranteed not to be obtained through the use of violence, human rights abuses, child labor, or environmental destruction. Applies to: diamonds, precious stones, precious metals
Cruelty Free: Cruelty free is a philosophy of life which aims to avoid all products which are produced as a result of cruelty to animals. No aspect of the product has been tested on animals which includes the ingredient list as well as the finished product. Applies to: personal care items, cosmetics, household cleaners, pest control
Fair Trade: Fair trade is an organized movement which promotes standards for international labour, environmentalism, and social policy in areas related to production of goods. Fair Trade focuses on exports from developing countries to developed countries. The intent is to work with marginalised producers and workers in order to help them move to security and economic self-sufficiency. Products with this tag must be fair trade certified by an acredited organization or the merhchant must be a member of a fair trade organization such as the Fair Trade Federation. Applies to: all products certified fair trade
Handmade: Handmade items have been made or prepared by hand rather than by machine. Applies to: all products made by hand
Made in USA: The Made in USA mark is a country of origin label indicating the product is "all or virtually all" made in the U.S. The products and merchants must demonstrate other eco characteristics other than solely being made in the USA, but this tag ensures that the products were made under fair working conditions and the environmental carbon footprint is minimized due to reduced shipping distances. Applies to: all products made in the USA
Natural Health: Although almost every clothing, bedding, and personal care product listed on Pristine Planet can be considered a Natural Health alternative, the products with this tag are alternatives to conventional health products and products used to eleviate chemicals in the environment. Applies to: vitamins, herbs, aromatherapy, water filtration, air filtration
Natural Ingredients: Products with the Natural tag should be comprised of a minimum of 70% natural materials as defined by the Natural Ingredient Resource Center. Natural Ingredients include plant, animal, mineral or microbial ingredients... present in or produced by nature. produced using minimal physical processing which means the ingredient has had no more processing than something which could be made in a household kitchen, stillroom, on a farm, or vineyard. directly extracted using simple methods, simple chemical reactions or resulting from naturally occurring biological processes. Simple Extraction Methods/Simple Chemical Reactions include cleaning, cold pressing, dehydration, desiccation, drying, evaporation, filtering, grinding, infusing [water or natural alcohol], & steam or water distilling. Natural ingredients are... grown, harvested, raised and processed in an ecological manner. not produced synthetically. free of all petrochemicals. not extracted or processed using petrochemicals. not extracted or processed using anything other than natural ingredients as solvents. not exposed to irradiation. not genetically engineered & do not contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Natural ingredients do... not contain synthetic ingredients. (Produced by synthesis, a compound made artificially by chemical reactions, from simpler compounds or elements.) not contain artificial ingredients including colors or flavoring. not contain synthetic chemical preservatives. Applies to: cosmetics, personal care, household cleaners, aromatherapy. A complete ingredient list must be available online.
Non Toxic: The Federal Hazardous Substances Act, which regulates hazardous household products, defines "toxic" as a product which produces personal injury or illness when it is inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin, or if it has long term chronic effects such as birth defects, cancer, or neurotoxicity. Although almost every clothing, bedding, and personal care product listed on Pristine Planet can be considered non toxic, the products with this tag are non leaching or less toxic alternatives to traditional products. Applies to: household cleaners, cookware, furniture, paint, pest control, toys, water bottles
Organic: Products with the Organic tag should be comprised of a minimum of 70% organic materials and should be organically certified or processed in accordance with the Organic Trade Association�s definition of organic which is a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. Organically produced foods also must be produced without the use of antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic engineering and other excluded practices, sewage sludge, or irradiation. Applies to: all products meeting the organic criteria
Recycled/Reclaimed: Recycled Products are comprised of materials that have been extracted from the garbage or waste. Applies to: all products comprised of recycled content
Resource Conserving: Products with this tag demonstrate an energy savings over traditional alternatives. These items use less resources to perform the same function as the traditional options. Applies to: compact florescent lighting, LED lighting, low flow showerheads, solar, wind and alternative fuels, rechargeable batteries, cloth diapers, reusable shopping totes
Socially Responsible: A Socially Responsible company is one that conscientiously takes positive actions in terms of the welfare of employees and society at large. This approach is based on the ethic of reciprocity - treat others as you would like to be treated. The following are some examples of this philosophy: Socially Responsible Investing describes an investment strategy which combines the intentions to maximize both financial return and social good. In general, socially responsible investors favor corporate practices which are environmentally responsible, support workplace diversity, and increase product safety and quality. Profit Sharing is an arrangement in which an employer shares some of its profits with its employees. Products with this tag need to demonstrate other eco characteristics but this tag ensures that the organization is contributing to the economic future of its employees and the community in which it operates. Profit Donation These organizations donate all or a portion of their profits to charities and non profit organizations.
Sustainable: Sustainable Materials are constructed from renewable resources and offer a multitude of advantages over conventional textiles such as fast regeneration, pesticide resistent crops, lower water requirements and the renewable materials replace old growth wood and petroleum derived ingredients. Applies to: products made of ayate, alpaca, bamboo, beeswax, coir, cork, eucalyptus, flax, hemp, kenaf, legna, natural latex, silk, soy, wool Sustainable processes can be carried out indefinitely with minimal long-term impact on the environment. The following are examples of sustainable systems. Low Impact Dyeing is a process that uses vegetable based, soy based, or water based dye alternatives in place of traditional toxic dyeing processes. Chlorine Free Bleaching is a process that uses hydrogen peroxide or other eco-friendly alternatives for whitening materials. Sustainable Agriculture refers to the ability of a farm to produce food indefinitely, without causing irreversible damage to ecosystem health. This includes biodynamic and wildcrafted methods. Closed Loop Manufacturing is a system that collects used products and then reuses or recycles all collected products and components within a closed system. Sustainable Fishing is the practice of managing fish that are caught or raised in ways that won't deplete stocks and are sensitive to the environment. Sustainable Forestry practices a land stewardship ethic which integrates the growing, nurturing, and harvesting of trees with the conservation of soil, air, and water quality, while protecting wildlife and fish habitats.
Sweatshop Free: Sweatshops are commonly characterized by low pay, poor working conditions, safety violations, and generally inhumane treatment of employees. Applies to: shoes, apparel, rugs, ceramics, and toys that have a clear documentation of working conditions
Vegan: Veganism is a lifestyle that seeks to exclude the use of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose. Items with this tag do not contain animal products or animal derived ingredients. The individual ingredients as well as the final product have not been tested on animals. Applies to: food items that are animal free alternatives to traditional products, cosmetics, personal care, shoes, household cleaners


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