Glass & Ceramics
Ceramics
Durable, inert, and built to last generations
Ceramics include earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain — all made from natural clay fired at high temperatures. They're generally inert and non-leaching when properly glazed, making them safe for food contact. Stoneware and porcelain are especially durable and temperature-resistant.
Sustainability benefits
- Generally inert and non-leaching when lead/cadmium-free
- Extremely durable and temperature-resistant
- Can be repurposed creatively (mosaics, garden drainage)
- Made from natural clay materials
Drawbacks to consider
- Not accepted by most municipal recycling programs
- Brittle — especially earthenware
- Must verify glazes are lead and cadmium-free
What to look for
Stoneware and porcelain are the most durable options. Always verify with the manufacturer that glazes contain no lead or cadmium.
How ceramics affects a product's score
Ceramics are classified as natural low-impact, scoring 3/5 on materials. They're durable but not widely recyclable, so end-of-life scores depend on the specific product's recyclability and compostability claims.
Scores are computed from four dimensions: materials, durability, end of life, and packaging. Each is scored 1–5 using transparent, open-source rules.