The surest way for specifiers to look past greenwashing and find genuinely sustainable products is via life cycle assessment.

The move towards environmental sustainability has had at least one unintended consequence.

It has ushered in an era of greenwashing. It seems that wherever you happen look, both within the construction sector and elsewhere, you will find somebody making unsubstantiated and/or inaccurate claims about green credentials.

So, what exactly are ‘sustainable’ products and how can they be accurately identified as such?

Life cycle assessment

“To evaluate a product's sustainable properties, consider its entire lifecycle. Begin by understanding where materials are sourced and how they are processed and manufactured, ensuring they come with transparent documentation and certification,” says Simon Pearson, Architectural Business Manager at Deco Australia.

This involves consideration of the product's entire life cycle, from production to disposal. And it also involves determining whether the product enhances energy efficiency and therefore reduces the operational carbon footprint of the building in question.

“Opt for products designed for recycling or reuse to support a circular economy. Additionally, investigate the manufacturer’s sustainability practices, including their waste management and carbon reduction strategies, to confirm their commitment to environmental stewardship,” adds Pearson.

Pointing to his own company’s products to make his point, Pearson says that Deco Australia is able reduce its our carbon footprint by focussing on the sustainable practices of not just its own operations but also across its supply chain.

“Our aluminium products, from cladding to screening systems, leverage aluminium's high recyclability, with 75% of all aluminium ever produced still in use today, highlighting its role in a circular economy,” he says.

“By partnering with Capral Aluminium and using their LocAl Green lower carbon aluminium, we cut waste and conserve resources, saving up to 4,400 tonnes of carbon annually.”

Image: Deco

Environmental Product Declarations

For the average architect, focussed on day-to-day concerns, meeting deadlines, and so on, the task of conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) may be a step to far.

The answer to this conundrum is easy – seek products that have already undertaken independent LCA and have the documentation to prove it.

This documentation can take one of two forms, and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) or a third-party Environmental Certification.

“An Environmental Product Declaration is a standardised document that provides detailed, quantified environmental data of a product, based on an LCA,” says Kelly Watson, National Architectural and Specifications Manager at Knauf Australia.

In Australia, EPD certification can be provided by one of two organisations, namely Global Greentag and Australasia EPD.

“Knauf has recently obtained EPDs for our Australian made plasterboard products,” says Watson, adding that products in the range include Sheetrock One, Sheetrock HD, Soundstop, Wetstop, Firestop, Fire Wetstop, Multistop, Multistop HI, and Shaftliner.

Continuing the theme, Watson says that Knauf aims to be an industry leader in sustainable construction.

“We plan to invest heavily to cost-efficiently decarbonise operations, to build a business that is both sustainable and profitable in the long term. Globally, we have set the ambitious goal of reaching net-zero carbon five years ahead of the Paris agreement, by 2045,” she says.

“Further, we aim to cut controlled CO2 emissions in half by 2032, while also reducing water withdrawals by a fifth and ceasing to send any waste to landfill from plants.”

Environmental certification

There are a range of certifications that can help find products worth considering. Some of the best known (and respected) schemes include Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA), Global Green Tag (GGT), Climate Active Carbon Neutral, and Green Star.

Founded by Green Building Council of Australia in 2003, Green Star is an internationally recognised rating system setting the standard for healthy, resilient, positive buildings and places.

“Green Star allocates a different amount of points to each of these certifications, depending on what level is achieved and how many aspects of sustainability are covered by the certification,” notes Richard Hardwick, National Specification Manager at Supawood Architectural Lining Systems.

Known as RPV, these points contribute to Green Star Responsible Product credits.

“A responsible product credit is attainable for each building element. There are four building elements under which responsible product credit are attainable, which are Responsible Structure, Responsible Envelope, Responsible Systems and Responsible Finishes,” says Hardwick.

“The amount of the credit attained is based on the percentage of Good Practice Products and the percentage of Best Practise Products that are used within each building element.”

As the manufacturer of one of the most extensive ranges of low maintenance, prefinished architectural lining systems available on the market, Supawood has a demonstrated commitment to sustainability.

All Supawood products – including its decorative panels, acoustic panels, drop in tiles, 3D tiles, slatted panels, modular metal slats, slatted ceiling tiles, and more - have a minimum RPV value of 10, which means they qualify for the ‘Good Practise’ credits.

Benchtops made from recycled glass

Since its inception in 2017, Eco Benchtops has pioneered the development of sustainable benchtops. Indeed, it was the first company in Australia to use recycled glass as the main raw material used in its products.

Available in a range of colours and textures to complement various applications and styles, the benchtops are also highly resistant to staining and easy to clean.

But most importantly, they were designed with sustainability in mind.

“Over 80% of each slab consists of recycled crushed glass, which is sourced from trade waste providers in Victora and NSW,” says Andrew Rottinger, CEO at Eco Benchtops. “That is equivalent to 750 bottles being used in each slab instead of going to landfill or road base.”

Then, at the end of their service life the bench top slabs can be re-crushed and used to make new slabs.

In terms of reducing carbon footprint, the Eco Benchtops production process utilizes low heat and requires no water at all. And, to reduce waste, the company re-uses the frames from its imported stone to make the packaging for its slabs.

“Thanks to these various initiatives, the factory has half the footprint of traditional stone manufacturing operations with similar levels of output,” says Rottinger.

Wall and ceiling systems

Sometimes, as in the case of Siniat, a manufacturer of lightweight interior and exterior wall and ceiling systems, it’s not necessary for specifiers to look through the various products available to find something that stands out as more sustainable than others.

Thanks to the company’s Opt2Act program, they can choose from a wide range of our products that fall into this category.

“Customers can opt-in to receive their plasterboard and metal framing products carbon neutral,” says Kathryn Walker, Siniat Regional EHS & Sustainability Manager (APAC).

“By opting for carbon neutral product under the program, the upfront carbon emissions of a build can be reduced by up to 7%.”

A wide range of plasterboard products offered by Siniat are certified Greentag Level A and EPDs available for the company’s plasterboard and metal products.

“When customers opt in for the Opt2Act program, we can supply our plasterboard and metal framing products carbon neutral by using high quality offsets. The products are then certified carbon neutral by Climate Active,” says Walker.

Reducing operational carbon

In assessing the carbon footprint of an architectural project, it’s important to draw a distinction between ‘operational carbon’ and ‘embodied carbon’.

Operational carbon refers to the emissions associated with energy used to operate the building – i.e. for heating, hot water, cooling, ventilation, lighting systems, lifts, and so on lifts.

Embodied Carbon, on the other hand, refers to carbon emissions associated with materials and construction processes throughout the whole lifecycle of the building, from the extraction of raw materials to the manufacturing process, transport, and end-of life.

Some building products, like insulation, window treatments, and glazing systems have the capacity to improve the thermal efficiency on the buildings in which they are installed, and therefore reduce operational carbon.

Blinds & curtains

Verosol Australia’s Silverscreen range fits squarely into this category.

“Silverscreen is a high-performance fabric designed to provide exceptional solar control and energy efficiency,” says Scott Comino, Marketing Manager at Verosol Australia.

“It reflects up to 85% of solar radiation, significantly reducing heat and glare while maintaining excellent outward visibility. This makes it ideal for both residential and commercial applications, where controlling indoor temperatures and reducing energy consumption are crucial.”

In this way, when incorporated into the company’s blinds and curtains, Silverscreen plays a significant role in reducing the operational carbon footprint of buildings.

“By reflecting a substantial amount of solar radiation, it helps maintain lower indoor temperatures during summer, reducing the need for air conditioning. In winter, the fabric’s insulative properties help retain heat, decreasing the reliance on heating systems,” says Comino.

“This dual functionality leads to significant energy savings, with studies showing that Silverscreen can reduce energy consumption by up to 20% in air-conditioned buildings and around 10% in non-air-conditioned buildings.

“These energy savings translate to lower CO2 emissions, contributing to a more sustainable built environment.”

Beyond these operational benefits, according to Comino, the material has further environmental credentials.

“The fabric is made from responsibly sourced materials, including PVC-free and formaldehyde-free polyester, which meets stringent environmental standards,” he says.

“Our PVC based performance Silverscreen fabrics carry Global GreenTag BEPPVC – Best Environmental Practice PVC certification.”

Thermally broken windows & doors

In a similar vein, Alspec’s Thermaframe thermally broken windows and doors contribute significantly to thermal efficiency and the reduction of operational carbon in mind. Designed to ensure that less energy is required to heat or cool a building, they can be relied upon to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

At the same time, products in the Alspec’s Greencore and Ultra GreenCore ranges are a testament to Alspec’s dedication to eco-efficient solutions. Here, 'Green' signifies an all-encompassing embrace of environmentally conscious practices and state-of-the-art technologies, while 'Core' refers to the billet, signalling that the material's reduced carbon footprint is inherent, extending throughout its entire composition.

To quantify that, the Greencore range has a carbon intensity of just 8kg CO2e per kg of aluminium, products in the Ultra GreenCore range have a carbon intensity of just 4kg CO2e per kg of aluminium.

The metric, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), is a universally recognised measure for assessing the global warming potential engendered during the production process. This value sets a new industry standard, showcasing our commitment to advancing the frontiers of sustainable aluminium production.

Image: Alspec’s Greencore and Ultra GreenCore ranges are a testament to Alspec’s dedication to eco-efficient solutions/ Supplied.

Timber products

For some product types, there are specific certifications that specifiers should look out for. Timber-related products are a good example.

“For wood products, being certified by a scheme such as the Forest Stewardship Council has a lot of weight and encompasses much more than the ecological context alone,” says Geoff Swinbourne, Founder and Director of Crafted Hardwoods.

“In fact, a big component of the certification process relies on demonstrating our commitment to not only environmental factors such as preventing illegal logging and deforestation, but social factors too, such as ensuring ethical sourcing, safe and fair working conditions and the well-being of workers.”

According to Swinbourne, Crafted Hardwoods offers a new, highly sustainable supply of high-quality timbers, suitable for internal and external applications in both residential and commercial settings.

“Crafted Hardwood is a sustainable timber made from pulp-grade resources. Its innovative production method not only conserves mature trees but also repurposes otherwise wasted materials,” he says.

“It is created by rotary peeling low-value, reject or juvenile logs – those usually destined for woodchips – and pressing the veneers together using a VOC-free nano-glue, to form solid timber with properties that rival centenary trees.”

The resulting product is healthy, sustainable, natural, recyclable, and free of harmful chemicals and toxins.

Image: Crafted Hardwoods offers a new, highly sustainable supply of high-quality timbers, suitable for internal and external applications in both residential and commercial settings. / Photo: Adam McGrath.

Balsa beams

Raw Inkk is a large-format printing company based in Toowoomba and is a specialist in custom architectural projects, printing unique designs on raw materials, including balsa beams, plastic board, fibre cement, and acoustic panels.

To focus on the first of these, balsa beams, the first thing to note is that balsa is the world’s lightest and fastest-growing tree with commercial applications. Raw Inkk’s supplier, Gen-Eco Wood Environmental Products, uses grain panels produced from 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified plantation balsa.

Because of their rapid growth, some balsa trees can reach full maturity (of roughly 27m) in between 5-7 years. This short growth cycle allows for efficient cultivation and harvesting practices that minimise environmental impact.

Gen-Eco has created a complete management system to nurture and care for thousands of trees at every stage of growth, from seedlings to 27m mature trees. Climatic conditions are charted, the soil is analysed, and the trees are constantly examined and measured. They also maintain an ongoing broad-based program of research into the sustainability aspects of plantation management.

Image: Raw Inkk’s supplier, Gen-Eco Wood Environmental Products, uses grain panels produced from 100% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified plantation balsa./ Supplied.

Water efficienct products

Like timber, products used in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundries also represent a special case. Beyond product stewardship, carbon footprint, and so on, assessing the sustainability of these products involves measuring their water usage.

The Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) applies a mandatory water efficiency and minimum performance standard and labelling system to all water-consuming products in Australia.

Applicable to toilets, concealed cisterns, showers, urinals, tapware, flow controllers, dishwashers, and washing machines, WELS Certification is achieved through three segments – Star Rating (a scale from 1 to 6, with 6 being most efficient), Rate of Water Consumption, and Registration.

To put that in context, to achieve a 6-star WELS rating, tapware needs to deliver a flow rate of less than 4.5 L/pm. In practice the best practice products, like the Novas Prime basin mixer, far exceed this requirement. Specifically, it has a nominal flow rate of just 3.8 L/pm.

To make this type of efficiency possible, Novas has reengineered all its tapware. As it now stands, all the company’s tapware is 6-star rated, while its showers have a 4-star rating. In addition, according to the company, plans to further improve the efficiency of its showers are now in progress.

As a result of these changes, the company has reduced the water consumption of its products by 22%. Importantly, however, its environmental efforts extend beyond the water efficiency of these products.

Over the last two years, Novas has been in the process of evaluating and actively reducing its carbon footprint. To quantify that, at this point it has reduced its carbon footprint by 19%.

The company has taken further steps to improve its products. Acknowledging that steel is a harder and more durable material than brass, it transitioned its tapware substrates from brass to stainless steel.

Apart from improving long term performance, this change removes the need for the substrates to be electroplated (which is a water intensive and environmentally harmful process) prior to having a PVD finish applied.

Metal ceilings

SAS International Australia, the Australasian division of leading British metal ceilings manufacturer SAS International, is the first company of its kind to be awarded Cradle to Cradle Bronze Version 4.0 certification. In fact, over 75% of the company’s products have earned this certification.

This means that, beyond providing acoustic insulation, service integration, aesthetic appeal, cleanable surfaces, and dust-free environments, these products are designed and produced with a demonstrated commitment to circularity and environmental responsibility.

For SAS International, this involves integrating the five key principles of Cradle to Cradle certified – namely material health, material reutilization, renewable energy & carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness - into the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy.

In practical terms, most the company’s ceiling tiles are reusable, while all of its products (including its tiles, grids and components) are recyclable.

Meanwhile, thanks to the installation of solar power in its Bridgend facility and renewable energy available through the national grid, all of its products have seen a carbon reduction; and its chilled ceilings significantly reduce operational carbon emissions of buildings in comparison to traditional air conditioning. This is because they utilise air and ground source cooling, contain no moving parts, and do not require chilled water.

Main Image: Deoc's range of sustainable outdoor building products

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