Environmental Sustainability

At Trusscore, we believe the future of construction is sustainable, and we're leading the charge. 

Our PVC-based wall and ceiling products are designed to be more durable, reusable, and recyclable — helping reduce the environmental impact of the building industry. Through cutting-edge material science and nanotechnology, we deliver superior wall and ceiling performance with a lower carbon footprint. Here's how.

Reducing Embodied Carbon

We reduce embodied carbon through efficient manufacturing, harnessing solar power, lowering shipping emissions, and creating durable designs that last longer to minimize waste and replacement needs.

Making Smarter Materials

Using nanotechnology and advanced design, we create pre-finished products that resist moisture, mold, and wear — and eliminate the need for paints, coatings, and unnecessary installation materials. 

Eliminating Material Waste

We recycle production waste, offer custom-length products to minimize offcuts, and support full-circle recycling. Our water recirculation system reuses 80% of water, while fast, efficient installations reduce job site waste and trips.

The Trusscore Embodied Carbon Advantage

Embodied carbon emissions (kgCO2e) are the greenhouse gases released during the entire life cycle of building materials — from extraction and manufacturing to transportation, use, and disposal. At first glance, unpainted drywall may seem like a lower-carbon option compared to Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard — 89.79 kg CO2-eq per 100 square foot versus 34.84 kg CO2-eq for 5/8" Type X drywall. But over a 60-year period, the true environmental cost tells a different story — especially when factoring in the carbon footprint of paint.

The need to repaint drywall multiple times substantially increases its global warming potential (GWP). Here's how the numbers stack up over time: 

Repainting Every 15 Years

4 paint applications over 60 years adds 26.38 kg CO2-eq per 100 sqft, bringing the total to 61.22 kg CO2-eq.

⚠️ Drywall has a lower carbon footprint than Trusscore by a small margin.

Repainting Every 10 Years

6 paint applications over 60 years lead to a total GWP of 154.27 kg CO2-eq per 100 sqft.

⚠️ Trusscore cuts painted drywall's carbon footprint by half.

Repainting Every 5 Years

12 repaints over 60 years skyrockets drywall's carbon footprint to 273.70 kg CO2-eq per 100 sqft.

⚠️ Trusscore reduces GWP by more than 3 times.

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard doesn’t require painting — ever. This not only eliminates the ongoing costs and labor associated with repainting, but it also significantly reduces the overall embodied carbon compared to drywall over time. Even though its initial embodied carbon is higher, the absence of paint means its GWP remains constant throughout its 60-year service life.

"Our material science-based approach is pushing the boundaries to create sustainable building materials that perform. At Trusscore, we are always thinking about the environmental impact to reduce the footprint the building materials industry is leaving behind."

Dave Caputo, CEO of Trusscore

How Trusscore Creates Sustainable Building Materials

At Trusscore, we’re committed to lowering our carbon footprint across the entire product lifecycle — from raw material extraction to end-of-life recycling. Explore how we minimize our carbon footprint throughout production, installation, and disposal to support a more sustainable building industry below.

Zero-Waste Manufacturing

Trusscore is committed to zero-waste manufacturing, ensuring that every piece of material serves a purpose. Excess material produced during manufacturing is reground and reintroduced into production, creating a closed-loop system that virtually eliminates waste. Our production lines use hot knife technology, saving one inch of material for every eight cuts — further minimizing waste. To support this effort, water used during production is recirculated within the system, reducing water consumption and waste.

Our production facilities also prioritize energy efficiency. Solar panels on the roof of the Palmerston facility generate 300 kWh of electricity, which is fed back into the local power grid to support renewable energy adoption. Electrical consumption at each facility is continuously monitored and optimized to prevent energy waste. By incorporating recycled materials into our products and selling unusable waste to other PVC manufacturers, we reduce reliance on virgin materials and promote a circular economy. This approach significantly reduces embodied carbon and positions us as a leader in sustainable manufacturing.

Efficient Installation

Trusscore wall and ceiling panels are designed for fast, efficient installation, directly contributing to a lower carbon footprint. The panels’ lightweight design reduces transportation emissions by requiring less energy to ship compared to heavier materials like drywall. Their pre-finished design allows for quicker, simpler assembly on-site, reducing labor hours and the number of trips required to complete installations. Each site visit has an environmental cost, and by minimizing the need for multiple visits, we help lower fuel consumption and the associated emissions.

We also offer custom product lengths to reduce the amount of offcut waste generated during installation. This feature addresses a key limitation of traditional materials like drywall, which often leave up to 12% of material as waste destined for landfills. By generating fewer scraps, we help reduce construction waste and its impact on the environment. This approach saves on labor, fuel, and material waste — key factors in reducing a project’s total environmental footprint.

Durability by Design

Unlike traditional building materials that require frequent repair or replacement, Trusscore wall and ceiling panels are built to last — products have a service life of up to 100 years. This longevity reduces the need for replacement, repair, and ongoing maintenance, which in turn lowers the total lifecycle carbon footprint of a building. Traditional materials like drywall are prone to damage from moisture, leading to frequent replacements and significant waste. By contrast, our moisture-resistant, impact-resistant PVC panels remain durable and easy to clean, ensuring a long lifespan with minimal maintenance.

The durability of our products also means reduced demand for new materials. This extends the lifespan of existing buildings while minimizing the need for raw materials. Since our panels maintain their integrity over time — unlike drywall and other alternatives — they help avoid the 25-40% of landfill waste attributed to construction debris. By designing for durability and longevity, we support sustainable building practices that reduce environmental impact over the lifetime of a structure.

Full-Circle Recycling

Trusscore products can be recycled up to six or seven times to make new PVC-based building materials, and we offer a full circle recycling program through our partnership with Return Polymers so Trusscore customers can easily recycle any off-cuts or excess material from their projects. This initiative allows unused materials to be reintroduced into the production cycle, preventing waste from entering landfills and promoting a more sustainable approach to construction materials.

Beyond our own products, we actively support broader recycling efforts in the PVC industry. We purchase waste PVC from other manufacturers to reduce reliance on virgin materials. Our own manufacturing waste is either reused in-house or sold to other PVC producers, ensuring that every scrap of material finds a new purpose. By closing the loop on material waste and integrating recycled PVC into our products, we reduce landfill waste, lower embodied carbon, and advance our mission for a sustainable, circular economy.

Trusscore Contributes to LEED Certification

LEED is a globally recognized certification system that encourages sustainable, green building practices. Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard, SlatWall, NorLock, RibCore, and TempWall can help builders earn four credits in the Materials and Resources and the Indoor Environmental Quality categories for LEED certification.

Construction & Demolition Waste Management Credit

This credit promotes waste reduction by recovering, reusing, and recycling construction materials.

Trusscore products are 100% recyclable through municipal facilities where accepted and customers can return off-cuts to Trusscore manufacturing facilities for recycling.

Interiors Life Cycle Impact Reduction Credit

This credit encourages reuse of materials and reduction of new material use.

Trusscore offers custom sizes to reduce waste, and off-cuts of Wall&CeilingBoard and SlatWall can be recycled into new materials. Trusscore panels are also easy to install, remove, and reuse in different buildings.

Low-Emitting Materials
Credit

This credit aims to lower chemical emissions that impact air quality, health, and the environment.

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard, RibCore, NorLock, and TempWall are low-VOC compliant and meet California’s CDPH 01350 standard for low-emitting materials.

Interior Lighting
Credit

 This credit supports occupant comfort and well-being through high-quality lighting.

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard has a 0.90 light reflectivity rate — reflecting 90% of light that hits it. This enhances natural and fixture lighting, reduces energy consumption, and lowers costs.