Which statement describes a sustainability advantage of cellulose insulation?

• A. Recycled content
• B. Lower embodied energy
• C. Good airtightness when installed correctly
• D. Uses less energy to produce than some foams

Answer: (B)

Focusing on sustainability, the most impactful advantage of cellulose insulation is its low embodied energy. Making cellulose insulation mainly involves processing recycled paper, which requires relatively little energy compared with producing petroleum-based foams like polyurethane or polystyrene. That means less total energy is used from raw materials to finished product, reducing the environmental footprint.

Recycled content is part of the story, since cellulose comes from recycled paper, but the key point is the energy saved in production. Good airtightness depends a lot on proper installation, so it’s not an inherent material property. And while it’s true that cellulose can use less energy to produce than some foams, stating the general, broad advantage of lower embodied energy captures the bigger, more consistent sustainability benefit.