Carbon Footprint Statement

At CLADS,

We don't engage in "greenwashing"—a practice the ACCC rightly challenges. We are not claiming to be a zero-emission, negative-carbon-footprint industry leader. Our focus is simple: transparency and documented reality, not marketing ploys or subscription-based "green certificates."

The construction industry fundamentally consumes energy and resources. We acknowledge this truth as the essential first step toward meaningful action. Instead of taking the easy route of signing a monthly cheque to a third-party association, we have taken measurable, documented steps to minimise our environmental impact. We've done this through genuine, responsible action, not paid subscriptions.The Product: Engineered for Sustainability

When you specify CLADS Australia's Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) cladding, you're choosing a solution designed with material lifecycles and long-term environmental impact in mind.

Our WPC composition demonstrates a verifiable commitment to recycled content:

Total Recycled Content: 90% by material composition. This is not a vague claim of "some recycled materials"—it is a documented and verified fact. Furthermore, our composition is Zero formaldehyde, supporting healthier indoor air quality.Performance and Lifecycle Thinking

Sustainability means performance. Our WPC systems achieve thermal R-values ranging from 1.90 to 2.69 m².K/W, contributing measurably to building energy efficiency. The formaldehyde-free composition supports compliance with standards like Green Star and WELL Building. Critically, these systems are designed for decades of minimal-maintenance service, which matters significantly in lifecycle assessments when compared to materials requiring intensive upkeep or frequent replacement.The Operation: Simple, Impactful Changes

Product specifications are pointless if daily business operations undermine them. We have implemented essential operational changes:

• Eliminated Operational Paper (October 2024): We have not "reduced" or "minimised" paper use; we have eliminated it from all sales documents, project specifications, and internal communications. This simple change drastically cut consumption of paper, ink, and storage resources. (Excludes marketing materials, which are sourced from partners with a matching ethos).
• Repurpose Our Rejects (October 2024): Structurally sound WPC panels that don't meet our aesthetic-grade quality control are no longer sent to landfill. They are now used as protective packaging material for product transportation, simultaneously diverting waste and reducing our reliance on virgin packaging. This is foundational circular economy thinking.

The Transportation: Thoughtful Optimisation

Logistics in our industry are inherently carbon-intensive. While we cannot eliminate these impacts, we can control and optimise our methods:

• Nationwide Distribution: We use depot-based distribution networks to consolidate shipments. This improves vehicle load efficiency and reduces single-destination trips compared to direct shipping.
• Melbourne Metro: Our local deliveries run on scheduled, consolidated routes using a meticulously maintained fleet of newer, fuel-efficient vehicles sized appropriately for typical payloads.

These are not revolutionary acts, but they are thoughtful optimisations that directly reduce carbon emissions compared to running inefficient individual trips.The Manufacturing Partnership: Certified Leaders

We are genuinely proud of our WPC supplier, Nanjing Jufeng Advanced Materials Co., Ltd. They are not merely compliant; they are certified leaders in environmental management, documented by multiple layers of international standards:

• ISO 14001 Environmental Management System: An audited system ensuring environmentally responsible manufacturing practices, documented processes, and continuous improvement.
• European Green Apple Gold Award: Recognition for environmental innovation.
• REACH Compliance: Adherence to the world's strictest chemical safety standards regarding hazardous substances.
• ISO 9001 & ISO 45001: Demonstrating that environmental responsibility is integrated with quality consistency and worker safety.

This partnership guarantees that our products come from a facility where environmental management is documented and demonstrated every day, countering any possibility of "hopeful" or undocumented claims.Beyond the Façade: A Shared Philosophy

The commitment to environmental responsibility extends beyond CLADS Australia. Our owner also operates Recycats, a specialised facility capable of extracting platinum from post-consumer automotive components.

• Platinum Recovery: Recycats recovers valuable materials from automotive waste that would otherwise be landfilled. This effort starkly contrasts with traditional mining: extracting platinum from virgin ore yields approximately 5 grams per cubic meter of earth. The resource efficiency of recovery versus extraction is staggering.

While separate, both businesses reflect a shared philosophy: finding value in what others discard, extending material lifecycles, and reducing environmental impact through innovative resource management. This is a documented pattern of action, not marketing rhetoric.Transparency: Our Ongoing Challenges and Commitments

We are direct about the inherent environmental impacts we have not yet solved: container shipping consumes fossil fuels, composite manufacturing requires substantial energy, and national logistics demand vehicles and fuel.

We commit to continuous improvement by:

• Currently evaluating: Additional sustainable packaging alternatives for sample shipments.
• Investigating: Electric and hybrid vehicle options as our fleet reaches end-of-life replacement cycles.
• Working with suppliers: To improve the recyclability of shipping materials and reduce packaging volume.
• Assessing: Opportunities to reduce transportation distances through strategic inventory placement.

These are commitments, not achievements.Why Specify CLADS?

When you specify CLADS Australia's WPC cladding systems, you are choosing solutions that contribute to:

• Green Star Points: Through documented 90% recycled content, formaldehyde-free composition, and thermal performance.
• WELL Building Standard Compliance: Via low-VOC, formaldehyde-free materials that support healthier indoor environments.
• Lifecycle Thinking: By selecting materials designed for extended service with minimal maintenance.
• Supply Chain Transparency: Backed by ISO 14001 certified manufacturing and verified material composition.

What we are claiming is specific and documented: 90% recycled content in our WPC. Paper eliminated from operations. Transportation optimised for efficiency. Manufacturing partnerships with ISO 14001 certified facilities.

These are facts. They are measurable. They are verifiable. They represent our commitment to building better business practices for the industry we serve.----

Questions about our products, certifications, or sustainability initiatives?

Contact our team at CLADS.

COO/BDM James Lawrence.

No bullshit (unless it's used as fertiliser)

*Last updated: January 2026