What Is Embodied Carbon in Building Materials? 

To understand the environmental impact of wall materials, it’s important to know what embodied carbon is and how it’s measured. 

Embodied carbon refers to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with a material from its creation to its disposal. It’s measured in kilograms of CO₂ equivalent (kg CO₂-eq) per unit of material and accounts for emissions across different life cycle stages: 

• Raw Material Extraction: The energy and emissions involved in mining, harvesting, or producing raw materials. 
• Manufacturing: The processes used to convert raw materials into finished products, including energy consumption and emissions from production facilities. 
• Transportation: The emissions from moving raw materials to factories and finished products to distributors, retailers, and job sites. 
• Installation: The impact of cutting, fitting, and securing materials in place, including any adhesives, fasteners, or energy use required. 
• Use Phase: How a material performs over time, including maintenance and refinishing (like repainting drywall). 
• End-of-Life: The impact of disposal, whether through landfilling, recycling, or incineration. 

Unlike operational carbon — the emissions generated by a home’s energy use — embodied carbon is locked in at the time of construction. You can reduce operational carbon by choosing energy-efficient appliances, but embodied carbon is set from day one. 

That’s why industry standards like Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide data on the global warming potential (GWP) of building materials, helping homeowners and builders make informed, sustainable choices. 

The Embodied Carbon Breakdown: Drywall vs. Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard  

At first glance, drywall appears to have a lower embodied carbon footprint than Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard. According to industry data: 

• 5/8" Type X drywall has an embodied carbon of 34.84 kg CO₂-eq per 100 square feet. 
• Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard has an embodied carbon of 89.79 kg CO₂-eq per 100 square feet. 

But that’s only part of the story. To truly understand the long-term impact, you need to factor in paint. 

The Hidden Carbon Footprint of Paint

A key factor that’s often overlooked in embodied carbon calculations is paint. Drywall requires regular repainting throughout its lifespan, significantly increasing its total carbon impact over time.

The emissions from paint production, application, and disposal add up quickly: 

• 15-Year Repainting Cycle: With four repaints over a 60-year period, drywall’s total footprint increases to 61.22 kg CO₂-eq per 100 square feet. 
• 10-Year Repainting Cycle: Six applications bring drywall’s footprint up to 154.27 kg CO₂-eq. 
• 5-Year Repainting Cycle: Twelve repaints push drywall’s total footprint to 273.70 kg CO₂-eq. 

While it’s possible for drywall paint to last up to 15 years in certain conditions, this isn’t a common repainting cycle for most homeowners. Even in rooms with minimal wear, factors like exposure to sunlight, air quality, and the type of paint used make a 15-year cycle relatively rare. 

For one, sunlight can cause paint to fade and degrade over time, especially in rooms with lots of natural light. This is particularly noticeable on walls that face direct sunlight. Even with high-quality paint, the constant exposure to UV rays will cause the color to dull or lose vibrancy much sooner than 15 years. 

Air quality and environmental factors also play a role. Homes located in areas with high humidity, pollution, or dust can see faster deterioration of the paint, which contributes to the need for more frequent touch-ups or repainting. Kitchens and bathrooms, in particular, experience fluctuating moisture levels, which can lead to peeling or staining that accelerates the need for repainting. 

Additionally, over time, even the most durable paints can show signs of wear from everyday activities. Cleaning, children, pets, and general movement within the home can create small imperfections like scuffs, stains, and marks. Even though they may not require a full repaint, these blemishes often prompt homeowners to refresh the walls every 5 to 10 years. 

In contrast, Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard doesn’t need to be painted — ever. Its moisture- and impact-resistant surface stays bright and clean without ongoing maintenance, eliminating the embodied carbon associated with repainting. That means zero paint-related emissions, reducing the long-term environmental impact significantly. 

When factoring in repainting cycles, Trusscore becomes the clear winner: 

• Against drywall with a 15-year repaint cycle, drywall is still slightly more sustainable than Trusscore. 
• Against drywall with a 10-year cycle, Trusscore cuts the carbon footprint in half. 
• Against drywall with a 5-year cycle, Trusscore reduces GWP by more than three times. 

Choosing drywall may seem like a lower-carbon option at first, but once you account for maintenance, Trusscore delivers a much smaller overall footprint over the lifespan of a building. 

The Role of Low-Carbon Materials in Sustainable Building

Reducing embodied carbon in buildings is an essential step toward meeting global climate goals. The construction industry is responsible for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, with a significant portion coming from building materials and their lifecycle emissions. Architects, builders, and homeowners all have a role to play in selecting materials that minimize long-term environmental impact. 

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard is part of this shift toward sustainable, low-carbon materials. By choosing Trusscore, builders can create spaces that are not only durable and high-performing but also significantly better for the planet. 

How Trusscore Prioritizes Sustainability 

At Trusscore, sustainability is at the core of our product design. We don’t just aim to meet industry standards — we go beyond them to create a durable, recyclable, and low-maintenance alternative to traditional building materials. 

Sustainable Manufacturing Practices 

Trusscore panels are manufactured with efficiency and sustainability in mind: 

• Zero-Waste Production: Excess material is reground and reused in a closed-loop system, eliminating waste. 
• Water Conservation: All water used in production is recirculated, reducing overall consumption. 
• Renewable Energy: Our Palmerston facility uses solar panels to generate 300 kWh of clean energy, decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. 

Reducing Waste and Supporting Circularity 

Unlike drywall, which generates significant construction waste, Trusscore is designed for minimal waste and maximum recyclability: 

• Custom Lengths: Panels are available in custom lengths to minimize job site waste. 
• Recycling Partnerships: Through our partnership with Return Polymers, leftover material is collected, reprocessed, and reused. 
• 100% Recyclable: At the end of its lifespan, Trusscore can be reground and made into new products, keeping it out of landfills. 

Lower Resource Use During Daily Operation

Trusscore doesn’t just reduce waste at installation — it also lowers energy and water consumption over time: 

• High Light Reflectivity (0.90 LRV): Trusscore panels reflect 90% of light, reducing the need for artificial lighting and cutting energy costs. 
• Less Water and Chemicals: The non-porous surface of Trusscore is easy to clean without excessive water use or harsh chemical cleaners. 
• Long-Lasting Durability: Unlike drywall, which dents, scratches, and absorbs moisture, Trusscore is impact-resistant, moisture-resistant, and mold-proof, eliminating costly repairs and replacements. 

Creating Healthier Indoor Environments 

Sustainability isn’t just about carbon emissions — it’s also about human health and well-being. Trusscore supports safer, healthier indoor environments with: 

• Low VOCs: Trusscore meets California’s CDPH 01350 standard for low-emitting materials, improving indoor air quality. 
• Mold & Mildew Resistance: The non-porous surface of Trusscore prevents mold growth, making it ideal for high-humidity spaces. 
• Better Acoustics: With an NRC of 0.15 and an STC rating of 30–35, Trusscore absorbs sound and reduces echoes in busy environments.