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Sustainable Materials: A Conceptual Gap in Definition.
1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Medical University of Gdańsk, J. Hallera 107, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 27, 2026
Summary
Sustainable materials are not an intrinsic property but a multidimensional outcome. This perspective clarifies terminology, moving beyond binary classifications for better material selection and framework development.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Sustainability Studies
- Environmental Science
Background:
- The term "sustainable material" is broadly used but lacks a clear, consistent definition in materials science.
- Current sustainability assessments, circularity metrics, and life cycle analyses often treat sustainability as an inherent material trait, not a contextual outcome.
- Existing terms like "bio-based," "recyclable," and "biodegradable" capture only partial aspects of sustainability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the conceptual ambiguity surrounding "sustainable materials."
- To critically differentiate and define related terms such as bio-based, recyclable, biodegradable, circular, green, and renewable materials.
- To propose a more integrated and context-dependent framework for understanding and classifying sustainable materials.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis and critical review of existing terminology in materials science and sustainability.
- Distinguishing between intrinsic material properties and multidimensional, context-dependent outcomes.
- Challenging binary "sustainable" vs. "non-sustainable" material classifications.
Main Results:
- No single descriptor (e.g., bio-based, recyclable) adequately defines a sustainable material.
- Sustainability is influenced by processing, end-of-life management, infrastructure, and application constraints.
- Existing terminology often overlooks crucial interacting factors and context.
Conclusions:
- A shift towards a multidimensional, context-dependent interpretation of sustainable materials is necessary.
- Clearer terminology will enhance scientific communication and improve materials selection for sustainability.
- Development of structured, multidimensional frameworks is crucial for future classification of sustainable materials.
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