Ceramics

Ceramics are one of humanity's oldest and most enduring materials, and when considered across their full lifecycle, they compare favourably to many modern alternatives. In the interior design industry fired ceramics and porcelain is used widely from sanitaryware, fire surrounds, tiles and pottery items including lamps.

A simple clay tile for example has an embodied energy of just 2.5 megajoules per kilogram, compared to 227 MJ/kg for aluminium, and when measured over a 75-year lifespan, ceramic tile has the lowest cradle-to-grave embodied carbon of any flooring category, outperforming vinyl, carpet, and engineered wood.

Crucially, ceramics are extremely durable, non-porous, with low-maintenance required and being resistant to fire, water and wear, meaning that a well-specified ceramic surface can last decades without replacement, reducing the long-term material and carbon cost of a scheme. Ceramic tiles are also one of the lowest off-gassing materials available. Fired at extreme temperatures, they are fully inorganic and emit no VOCs in use, making them a genuinely healthy choice for indoor air quality particularly for allergy sufferers.

That said, ceramics are not without impact: the kiln-firing process can exceed 1,000°C, and the global ceramic tile industry emits an estimated 19 million tonnes of CO₂ annually and the opportunity for interior designers lies in specifying ceramics thoughtfully: prioritising reclaimed, handmade, or locally produced options; understanding what goes into glazes and finishes; and planning for responsible end-of-life disposal from the outset.

Facts

• Energy consumption: Some ceramics, particularly those with glazes can require extreme temperatures to manufacture. Well-managed efficient kilns and non-toxic glazes can be chosen to ensure a more sustainable product. Around 80% of CO₂ emissions from ceramic tile production occur during the firing and drying stages.
• Production: Use of virgin materials and high-water usage during production add further environmental burden. With an average water consumption in ceramic tile manufacture around 20 litres per square metre produced
• Ethics: As with stone and other extracted materials, ceramics sourced from outside the UK and Europe may come from factories with limited environmental or labour regulation. Hand-painted and artisan tiles in particular can involve hidden supply chains where labour conditions are difficult to verify
• Animal derived content: Bone china contains between 25% and 50% bone ash by composition, derived from calcined animal bones, mostly cows. Bone char is also used in glazes as an opacifier, flux and colorant
• Ceramics extend beyond tiles and surfaces to sanitaryware, for example basins, WCs, cisterns and bathtubs. The same principles apply: ask about recycled content, manufacturing origin, and whether the supplier holds environmental accreditations
• End of Life: Ceramic waste sent to landfill cannot biodegrade and is classified as inert waste yet recycling rates for ceramics remain very low. Where tiles are bonded to plasterboard they must be separated before recycling can take place

Key Points

Look for recycled content  

Ask what percentage is post-consumer recycled content versus factory waste recycled content and aim for the highest proportion of disclosed recycled material. Pre-consumer recycled content refers to manufacturing waste such as offcuts and rejects from the production process that are fed back into new products. Post-consumer recycled content refers to material that has already been used and returned such as crushed ceramic waste, for example. Post-consumer content is generally considered the more valuable of the two as it diverts material from landfill. Aim for the highest proportion of post-consumer recycled content where possible.

Look for third party accreditations

There are accreditation schemes for ceramics such as Greenguard. This certification signifies the ceramic (floor, wall and porcelain) products meet the strict requirements for low chemical emissions in homes, businesses and commercial buildings.

Ask whether the factories producing the ceramics have any accreditation 

Look for ISO14001/2, EMAS, LEED or Ecolabel. If the factories have  these certifications it is likely that they have systems in place to reduce their environmental impact such as recycling production water, recycling waste energy from kilns or using renewable energy in factories. 

Ask for an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

An EPD provides transparency and makes it easier to compare the lifecycle environmental impact of one product against another. EPDs are still relatively rare among UK tile manufacturers, though the picture is improving. Having one doesn’t mean the product is good - it means the product is transparent and easier to compare to another product with an EPD. 

Consider glazes  

While they may extend a product's life, they can prevent recycling. Broken tiles need not be wasted, fragments can be used in mosaics, terrazzo, or as drainage material in planters.

Handmade clay tiles  

Typically fired at lower temperatures and produced in smaller batches, carry a lower carbon footprint than mass-produced porcelain and support traditional craft skills. Look for locally-made options to minimise transport emissions.

Crystalline silica

Ceramic and porcelain contains levels of silica, which can cause silicosis, a serious, irreversible and incurable lung disease. Designers should specify wet-cutting methods in their specifications and ensure contractors follow current HSE guidance on silica dust control.

Think local 

Sanitaryware is significantly heavier and larger than tiles, meaning transport emissions are proportionally higher, favouring locally manufactured products where possible. 

Encourage reuse

Encourage clients to retain and refurbish existing sanitaryware where possible, and consider specialist reclamation suppliers.

Is this the right material? 

Consider whether ceramic is the right material for each surface before specifying.

Order accurately 

Accurate ordering reduces wastage on site: overordering is common with tiles and surplus stock rarely has a clear route to reuse.  

Use a recycling scheme where possible

UK companies including Fresh Start Waste Services and Geocycle offer commercial ceramic waste collection and recycling. For smaller quantities, architectural salvage companies and Freecycle are viable options. 

Indoor air quality

Traditional tile adhesives, grouts and sealants, particularly those with acrylic additives, epoxy resins, or solvent-based sealers, can off-gas during and after installation. For more information on grouts and adhesives refer to Paint, varnish, coatings, grout, glue and adhesive section.  

RESOURCES

• Construction dust HSE information sheet