Green glossary: Understanding sustainable development vocabulary
Sustainable development and eco-friendly initiatives are increasingly common topics of discussion. In many retail sectors, including pharmacies, we're seeing a marked increase in the use of sustainability-related terms on products and displays. Whether through greener packaging, sustainably sourced products or awareness campaigns, the commitment to a better future is taking concrete form. Let's take a look at some of the terms specific to sustainability and relevant to your understanding of what they mean.
Eco-responsibility
It can sometimes be easy to think of the term "eco-responsibility" and associate it with the development of sustainable practices, but it encompasses many more aspects. In fact, eco-responsibility refers to a set of behaviours aligned with the principles of sustainable development. Among the most common eco-responsible practices are recycling, composting, using public and active modes of transportation, and buying ecological, local and organic products.
In its entirety, eco-responsibility is based on integrating the 3RV-E hierarchy (reduce at source, reuse, recycle, value, dispose) and considering the life cycle of products and services. This approach takes into account environmental, economic and social impacts at every stage in the life of a product or service.
Carbon-neutral pharmacy
The "carbon-neutral pharmacy" certification is a unique concept in North America set in motion by Maillon Vert, a company that supports pharmacies in their sustainable development strategies, and Planetair, a non-profit organization that helps various stakeholders account for, reduce and offset their ecological footprint, particularly their climate impact.
For a pharmacy to be certified as carbon-neutral, it must qualify and meet the requirements of an established protocol used to quantify and account for the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with its operations. This certification attests that all GHG emissions have been calculated and offset. So, in addition to reducing its environmental impact to a minimum, a certified carbon-neutral pharmacy offsets its remaining GHG emissions by financing climate-friendly projects via Planetair and fighting climate change. For example, a pharmacy could invest in a "Gold Standard" certified reforestation project in the Greater Montréal area, which focuses on the reforestation of degraded and unused land in urban and semi-urban areas, as well as the rehabilitation of forest ecosystems and the creation of green spaces.
Ethical products
It can be challenging to distinguish between an ethical and an unethical product on the market. Indeed, to be ethical, a product must meet a set of environmental and social criteria that are inherent to sustainable development and corporate social responsibility.
The term eco-design is used when referring to the environmental impact of ethical products. Eco-design is a global approach that aims to minimize a product's environmental impact at every stage of its manufacture and life cycle. This approach considers everything from raw materials, energy, and water consumption to waste disposal, end-of-life destruction, and recyclability. Product durability is also an inherent criterion of an ethical product.
The corporate social responsibility aspect of evaluating a potentially ethical product has two main components: social and societal. The social aspect mainly concerns working conditions within the company, while the societal aspect is concerned more specifically with the impact on society and populations in general.
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Biodegradable vs. compostable vs. recyclable products
Some may find the difference between biodegradable and compostable products minimal. Let's clarify the two terms.
A biodegradable substance or product can decompose under the action of living organisms in the environment. Compostable products leave no toxic residue behind since they are already organic. This material can be used in the composting process. Finally, biodegradable products may take several years to decompose and may even leave toxic waste behind, whereas compostable products take only a few months to decompose.
A recyclable material can be transformed and reintroduced into a production cycle for the manufacture of new products. It's also important to note that the term "recyclable" refers mainly to a residue that can be transformed into another product, whereas the term "recoverable," which is sometimes used, is more encompassing and can refer to anything that can be recovered biologically.
Eco-friendly labelling
Many companies, including Familiprix, are taking a step towards clearer, more distinctive identification of their eco-branded product offering. Whether it's called an eco-responsible section, eco-friendly labelling or even environmental labelling, they all mean the same thing and are designed to meet a need: to make it easier to find products that are good for the health of our planet. This type of identification aims to guide consumers' choices towards products that are least harmful to the environment.
Familiprix eco-friendly labels are affixed to products that meet our eco-responsibility criteria, making it easier to find healthy, environmentally friendly products. The products selected undergo a rigorous evaluation process and are drawn from several product categories, ranging from household products to personal care products.
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Adopting eco-responsible practices and understanding the associated terms is essential to promoting a sustainable future. Using the right vocabulary will make engaging in dialogue about sustainable development easier and encourage concrete action in your daily life, one word at a time!