Green

World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

02.10.2025

A coalition of 160 international companies chartered to promote sustainable development through economic growth, ecological balance and social prog...

wastewater

Water carrying dissolved or suspended solids from homes, farms, businesses and industries.

waste reduction

Preventing or decreasing the amount of waste being generated through waste prevention, recycling or purchasing recycled and environmentally prefera...

waste prevention

Any change in the design, manufacturing, purchase or use of materials or products (including packaging) to reduce their amount or toxicity before t...

waste equals food

A principle of natural systems and MBDC that eliminates the concept of waste. In this design strategy, all materials are viewed as continuously val...

volatile organic compound (VOC)

Any compound that contains carbon and becomes a gas at room temperature. VOC emissions are regulated because they contribute to smog formation. The...

unmarketables

Materials to be eliminated from human use because they cannot be maintained safely in either biological or technical metabolisms.

Universal Hazardous Waste (UHW)

Certain hazardous, widely generated materials such as batteries, pesticides and thermostats. The EPA adopted the Universal Waste Rule (1993), which...

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

A coalition of representatives from the building industry that promotes buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and are healthfu...