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Sustainability terms explained: A glossary for formulators
Confused by sustainability definitions? Cut through the noise and understand the terminology shaping the future of cleaning
Ever feel overwhelmed by all the eco‑friendly cleaning terminology out there? You’re not alone. That’s why we created a straightforward glossary to help understand sustainability definitions, terms, and phrases.
With so many products making big claims, knowing what sustainability language means is key to cutting through the noise. When you understand these terms, you can make confident decisions and identify ingredients that truly support environmental progress.
At Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions, we’re not just a distributor, we’re your partner in innovation. We operate at the intersection of science and technology, helping you bring forward sustainable solutions that support your ESG goals. That means we’re more than a chemical distributor; we’re a technical innovator and a supply‑chain connector, exploring new ways to elevate your products and solving challenges with you for a better tomorrow.
Ever feel overwhelmed by all the eco‑friendly cleaning terminology out there? You’re not alone. That’s why we created a straightforward glossary to help understand sustainability definitions, terms, and phrases.
With so many products making big claims, knowing what sustainability language means is key to cutting through the noise. When you understand these terms, you can make confident decisions and identify ingredients that truly support environmental progress.
At Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions, we’re not just a distributor, we’re your partner in innovation. We operate at the intersection of science and technology, helping you bring forward sustainable solutions that support your ESG goals. That means we’re more than a chemical distributor; we’re a technical innovator and a supply‑chain connector, exploring new ways to elevate your products and solving challenges with you for a better tomorrow.
Our partnership with Dow
Through our exclusive partnership with Dow, we can help you make more responsible choices and turn sustainability goals into real-world action. By pairing Dow’s innovative portfolio with our formulation expertise, technical support, and market insights, we support solutions designed to meet your performance needs This commitment to innovation and sustainability isn’t just about meeting today’s expectations, it’s about leading the way toward solutions that ensure a cleaner, more responsible world for generations to come.
Demystifying sustainability terminology in the cleaning industry
Here’s a quick guide to common sustainability definitions, terms, and phrases:
Bio-based: Originating from biomass, meaning it's derived from plant or animal materials.
Biomass: Renewable organic material coming from plants and animals that can be used to produce energy. As defined by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Biodegradable: Able to be broken down by naturally occurring microorganisms, turning into simpler, non-harmful substances over time.
Readily Biodegradable: A classification for chemicals that pass the OECD 301 biodegradability screening test, indicating they break down easily in the environment.
OECD 301: A series of tests developed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to determine if a substance can be considered readily biodegradable.
Renewable Materials: Materials made of biomass that can be replenished continually, ensuring a sustainable source.
Safer Choice: An EPA program that identifies products as being safer for human health and the environment, based on their performance and ingredients.
CleanGredients: An online database featuring chemical ingredients that meet the U.S. EPA’s Safer Choice Standard, helping formulators to find safer ingredients for their products.
Direct Release: The intentional or unintentional discharge of pollutants or substances directly into the environment without treatment, affecting water, soil, or air.
Aquatic Toxicity: Refers to the harmful effects that chemicals or other substances have on organisms living in water.
Green Seal: A global nonprofit organization that provides ecolabels for products and services meeting strict environmental standards for performance, health, and environmental impacts.
USDA BioPreferred: A program managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture aimed at increasing the use and purchase of biobased products, featuring a label that shows the biobased content of certified products.
Returna™: A product label indicating that the materials are biodegradable and break down into natural substances, reducing environmental impact.
Scope 1, 2, 3 Emissions: Categories of greenhouse gas emissions defined by their source: Scope 1 covers direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy, and Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A method for assessing the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life, from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, and disposal or recycling.
Product Carbon Footprint (PCF): The total amount of greenhouse gas emissions directly and indirectly associated with producing one unit of a product throughout its lifecycle.
Environmental Working Group (EWG): An organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment, focusing on reforming chemical safety and agricultural laws, and promoting safer product standards.
Demystifying sustainability terminology in the cleaning industry
Here’s a quick guide to common sustainability definitions, terms, and phrases:
Bio-based: Originating from biomass, meaning it's derived from plant or animal materials.
Biomass: Renewable organic material coming from plants and animals that can be used to produce energy. As defined by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Biodegradable: Able to be broken down by naturally occurring microorganisms, turning into simpler, non-harmful substances over time.
Readily Biodegradable: A classification for chemicals that pass the OECD 301 biodegradability screening test, indicating they break down easily in the environment.
OECD 301: A series of tests developed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to determine if a substance can be considered readily biodegradable.
Renewable Materials: Materials made of biomass that can be replenished continually, ensuring a sustainable source.
Safer Choice: An EPA program that identifies products as being safer for human health and the environment, based on their performance and ingredients.
CleanGredients: An online database featuring chemical ingredients that meet the U.S. EPA’s Safer Choice Standard, helping formulators to find safer ingredients for their products.
Direct Release: The intentional or unintentional discharge of pollutants or substances directly into the environment without treatment, affecting water, soil, or air.
Aquatic Toxicity: Refers to the harmful effects that chemicals or other substances have on organisms living in water.
Green Seal: A global nonprofit organization that provides ecolabels for products and services meeting strict environmental standards for performance, health, and environmental impacts.
USDA BioPreferred: A program managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture aimed at increasing the use and purchase of biobased products, featuring a label that shows the biobased content of certified products.
Returna™: A product label indicating that the materials are biodegradable and break down into natural substances, reducing environmental impact.
Scope 1, 2, 3 Emissions: Categories of greenhouse gas emissions defined by their source: Scope 1 covers direct emissions from owned or controlled sources, Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy, and Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions that occur in a company’s value chain.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A method for assessing the environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product's life, from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, and disposal or recycling.
Product Carbon Footprint (PCF): The total amount of greenhouse gas emissions directly and indirectly associated with producing one unit of a product throughout its lifecycle.
Environmental Working Group (EWG): An organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment, focusing on reforming chemical safety and agricultural laws, and promoting safer product standards.
Sustainable solutions for commercial success
Since 2008, we have driven meaningful, long-term impacts across the distribution landscape. As a leader in chemical and ingredient distribution, we bring together science, technology, and industry expertise to help you move your sustainability goals forward. Beyond sourcing and supply chain support, we work closely with you to solve formulation challenges and develop more responsible products.
Because there is no single global standard for defining sustainability at the product level, we created our Sustainable & Natural Product Framework—a simplified way to evaluate sustainability across ingredients and raw materials. It’s helping customers spark clearer conversations, make informed choices, and identify solutions that align with their goals. And as innovation and regulations evolve, so will our Framework.
Explore our Sustainable & Natural product portfolio to see how we’re defining product‑level sustainability in a practical, transparent way.
Discover our six sustainable and natural product characteristics:
Natural or Bio-based
Carbon Footprinting
Safer Substitutes
Circular Materials
Social Impact Accrediation
Environmental Accreditation
Dow's leadership in sustainable chemistry
When it comes to tackling the growing demand for environmentally responsible cleaning solutions, Dow is setting the pace. Their portfolio reflects years of innovation in sustainable chemistry, and our partnership means you can tap into that expertise with confidence.
Innovations driving the future of responsible cleaning
- ECOSURF™ and TERGITOL™ Surfactants: These surfactants strike that sweet spot between performance and environmental responsibility, offering readily biodegradable options crafted for a wide range of cleaning applications. They’re also certified by CleanGredients and meet our Environmental Accreditation characteristic.
- TRITON™ Series: These versatile, nonionic surfactants deliver strong cleaning power while reducing ecological impact. They’re a great option for brands looking to boost performance without compromising sustainability.
- CARBOWAX™ SENTRY™ Polyethylene Glycol: Highly functional and dependable, these products emphasize safety, effectiveness, and environmental stewardship. They’re CleanGredients‑certified and aligned with our Environmental Accreditation characteristic.
Why Dow’s solutions move brands forward
Choosing Dow’s sustainable solutions gives you more than just compliance; it gives you an edge and can help:
- Strengthen environmental protections through lower aquatic toxicity and biodegradability.
- Enhance consumer safety with certifications like Safer Choice.
- Advance sustainability goals by integrating renewable and bio‑based materials that reduce reliance on finite resources.
Our partnership with Dow revolving around sustainable chemistry reflects a broader shift in the industry, one where environmental responsibility and product innovation go hand in hand. By leveraging Dow’s offerings, brands can elevate their sustainability credentials and actively contribute to shaping a cleaner, more responsible future.
Why Dow’s solutions move brands forward
Choosing Dow’s sustainable solutions gives you more than just compliance; it gives you an edge and can help:
- Strengthen environmental protections through lower aquatic toxicity and biodegradability.
- Enhance consumer safety with certifications like Safer Choice.
- Advance sustainability goals by integrating renewable and bio‑based materials that reduce reliance on finite resources.
Our partnership with Dow revolving around sustainable chemistry reflects a broader shift in the industry, one where environmental responsibility and product innovation go hand in hand. By leveraging Dow’s offerings, brands can elevate their sustainability credentials and actively contribute to shaping a cleaner, more responsible future.
Explore all available Dow ingredients within our Sustainable & Natural Product Portfolio, where you can easily filter by supplier and discover the full lineup of Dow products featured on our site. Discover how Dow’s sustainable ingredients can elevate your next formulation.
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