Interior architect and circular materials specialist Chaline Church explains why switching to Cradle to Cradle Certified products is a practical, scalable way to cut toxins, reduce whole-life costs, and build healthier spaces, without sacrificing performance. From paints to membranes to timber, her message is clear: design for wellbeing.
“40% of UK decorators develop lung cancer.” That chilling stat stopped us in our tracks and it’s a window into how everyday materials can undermine occupant health and project outcomes.
Toxicity in conventional products is still widespread and avoidable. Chaline breaks down how third-party standards like Cradle to Cradle Certified help teams specify materials that protect health, support circularity, and perform in demanding contexts (coastal sites, bathrooms, heavy-use interiors).
“You might buy cheap and cheerful paint and think you’ve saved a few pounds, but you’re breathing VOCs, carcinogens and plasticisers for up to five years after it’s dried.”
Prefer mineral paints (e.g., Graphenstone, Keim) that are Cradle to Cradle Certified and free of VOCs; several also absorb CO₂ after application.
Don’t judge by upfront cost alone: model whole-life value. In multiple cases, healthier options outlast and outperform “cheap and cheerful.”
Prioritise breathable assemblies (clay plasters, lime/stone paints) for acoustic and thermal benefits alongside indoor air quality.
Replace PVC in roofs, floors and services with proven alternatives (rubber/PU membranes, uPVC pipes, healthier floor systems).
Use registries and libraries to find what you need fast: 540 WORLD’s UK list, the official product registry, and RIBA/NBS filters.
Indoor environments shape health and productivity; materials shape indoor environments. By choosing Cradle to Cradle Certified options, clients can cut sick days and lower operational carbon through durability and maintenance savings, improving both ESG and P&L.
Chaline highlights two mineral brands she specifies: Keim and Graphenstone. Both offer Cradle to Cradle Certified ranges, ultra-low toxicity and high breathability; Graphenstone additionally re-carbonates to stone. They apply with standard rollers/sprayers, making the switch operationally simple.
Scale isn’t the problem. Many global manufacturers now offer Cradle to Cradle Certified lines (from membranes to fixtures to timber), and SMEs are certifying category by category. That means major developers, housebuilders and social landlords can adopt at speed without sacrificing supply resilience.
Not over the life of the asset. Case examples show higher upfront prices are offset by longer service life, minimal maintenance and reduced replacement cycles. When specifications are Cradle to Cradle Certified, clients often see lower total cost of ownership and, in some markets, higher buyer uptake.
Hospitals and schools frequently rely on PVC for “cleanability,” yet it’s a neurotoxin and sheds micro-plastics. Switching to alternatives (e.g., rubber-based roofing membranes, healthier flooring, uPVC/other pipe systems) aligns interiors with healing and learning outcomes.
Start with three sources:
540 WORLD’s UK download of Cradle to Cradle Certified options.
The official registry (certificate-level detail).
Materials libraries (RIBA/NBS Source, Madaster, First Planit, MyUpcyclea) that flag Cradle to Cradle Certified filters.
At Darren Evans Ltd, we help clients align health, circularity and carbon from RIBA Stage 0. We translate ambitions into specification rulesets (e.g., “Cradle to Cradle Certified wherever available”), model whole-life value, and verify outcomes post-occupancy. This is the kind of work we support at Darren Evans Ltd.
If this resonates with your challenges, let’s talk. Our team can facilitate rapid material swaps, supplier engagement and tender-ready schedules anchored in Cradle to Cradle Certified criteria, so you de-risk delivery and win stakeholder trust.
Listen to the full episode with Chaline Church: You Have a Teaspoon of Plastic in Your Brain – Here's How It Got There
Read Our Article: The Passivhaus Revolution: Transforming Social Housing Across the UK
Related episode: ‘There’s No Such Thing as Waste – Just Resources Waiting to Be Reused’ | What Is A Circular Economy
If this episode resonated with you or raised questions about how your organisation supports mental wellbeing:
Healthy buildings shouldn’t be a luxury, specification is where we make them real.
Cradle to Cradle Certified choices turn intent into impact.
