Tags
A tag is a keyword or label that categorizes your question with other, similar questions. Using the right tags makes it easier for others to find and answer your question.
using materials that would otherwise be waste to manufacture new materials. For questions specifically on [upcycling] use that tag, for questions on [reuse] use that tag.
Electric energy produced from sunlight. This could be via semiconductors, in [photovoltaics]; or through the concentration of solar heat to drive a turbine, as in concentrating solar power [solar-ther…
the sustainable use, production, and storage of energy, through efficiency, conservation and renewable resources. Use this tag for questions on energy in general.
describes all effects (positive or negative) of the production, consumption and/or disposal of a product, service, policy, or project on the environment.
materials which the initial user wants to dispose. For questions about [reuse] or [recycling] waste use those tags.
The percentage ratio of energy produced to energy supplied to a system; or a measure of minimum energy required relative to energy actually consumed; or a measure of relative energy consumed to provid…
Questions concerning the production or use of electricity in a sustainable way.
a dwelling-place used as a permanent or semi-permanent residence for an individual, family, household or several families in a tribe. Use this tag for questions about sustainability issues at home.
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids that are moldable. They are usually synthetic, most commonly derived from petrochemicals, but many are partially…
Heating is warming a space for human comfort. Use this tag for questions on space heating and central heating.
For questions about heat for preparing food use the [cooking] tag. For heating water use…
substance consumed to provide nutritional support for humans and animals. Use this tag for questions on the sustainability aspects of food in general. See also [meat],[fish],[cooking]
Questions regarding sustainable use of water, or water's impact on sustainability in general.
For questions on [waste-water], [greywater], [seawater], [water-footprint] or [virtual-water] please use …
the process of creating compost: organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment. For composting with worms see [vermicomposting], for anaerobic composting with…
a measure of the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced directly and indirectly by a person, an organisation, an event or a product.
moving people or freight from one place to another. This includes use of cars, trucks, buses, aircraft, watercraft, as well as non-fuel-intensive transportation. For questions specifically about cars …
Giving materials and objects an additional life by using them again, rather than [recycling] or discarding them.
methods for producing electricity, including inputs (fuel, land, water, air) and byproducts (heat, waste, emissions)
a resource that can be created or used over and over again without depleting the materials from which it is made.
storage devices for electrical energy. Use this tag for questions about selecting and using the (most sustainable) various battery technologies for a particular application as well as questions about …
Gases that contribute to global warming by trapping radiant heat from the sun in the atmosphere. Use this tag for questions about sources of emissions, or ways of reducing emissions. For question abou…
any addition of harmful substances or products in the environment (air, water, soil or food).
For questions specifically about [air-polution], [greenhouse-gas-emissions] or [toxic-chemicals] please u…
the sustainability aspects of domestic or commercial gardening: the cultivation of plants and fungi, landscaping and garden design.
LCA is a method for quantifying the impacts of a product, process, or service over its entire supply chain. Carbon, energy and water footprinting are well-known subsets of LCA.
automobile, mainly used for transporting people
For questions also about other types of vehicles or about transport in general use the [vehicle] or [transport] tags respectively.
DIY (Do-It-Yourself) and home improvements: the sustainability issues around mending and improving your home through repairs, renovation, carpentry, plumbing and other building activities that you do …
more sustainable alternative for a particular product or activity
The conversion of the kinetic energy from moving air into usable electrical energy. This is almost always through three-blade horizontal-axis wind turbines, though there are variants that include two …
Cooling a space for human comfort, cooling food so it doesn't go bad soon (refrigerator) or cooling electrical devices to prevent overheating (computer servers). See also [air-conditioning]
Material, usually derived from wood and produced into thin sheets.
Sustainability of using paper: possible recycling methods or ways to minimize paper waste.
Solar panels that convert light directly to electricity. For questions on using sunlight to to heat water use [solar-thermal]
automotives that use one or more electric motors for propulsion, including cars, trucks, buses, bikes and more. Consider this tag for questions regarding EV designs, technologies, fuel types and perfo…
a measure of how much land and ocean area is required to sustain a particular consumption pattern.
This is related to, but not the same as [environmental-impact]
Reducing the amount of fuel used to accomplish a given amount of work, such as in a vehicle or generator.
raising the temperature of water.
For questions about space-heating use the [heating] tag.
all materials used to enclose and protect items for the purpose of distributing and/or selling them.
See also [paper], [plastic]
The management of fresh and usable water resources, desalination, waste-water handling and purification.