Is Natural Stone Eco-Friendly?
Is Natural Stone Eco-Friendly?
The push for eco-friendly materials is huge in this day and age, and for good reason. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the source of their building materials and always hope to choose products that fit their desired aesthetic without harming the environment. Stone lovers, rest assured: natural stone materials are not only eco-friendly but also 100% natural and durable! Read on to see why natural stone is a great green choice for your home project.
What Defines an Eco-Friendly Material?
First, let’s look at what defines an eco-friendly material. Eco-friendly materials are those that are Earth-friendly. Eco-friendly materials are not harmful to the environment, contribute to overall green living, and help conserve vital resources like water and energy. Through extraction and processing, eco-friendly materials prevent contributions to various forms of pollution, including but not limited to air, water, and land pollution. They’re non-toxic and either sustainable or sustainably-grown. Eco-friendly materials are not just Earth-friendly though; they keep both environment and human safety in mind.
Stone’s Eco-Friendly Properties
Stone comes directly from the Earth, making it the ideal green building material. Unlike other materials, stone materials do not require additional materials or resources to create it. It’s available locally and regionally for reduced environmental impact, and for those in the US or Canada, there is a quarry within 500 miles of nearly any building site. Stone contains no harmful chemicals, and the need for non-abrasive cleaners means toxic chemicals aren’t needed to maintain it. Moreover, stone is very durable and does not need replacement. The life-cycle cost of a product is a huge factor in its eco-friendliness, and because stone doesn’t need frequent repair or replacement, its life-cycle cost is very low. Even when stone does need to be removed, it is recyclable, salvageable, and repurpose-able. Stone fragments can be turned into new pieces via adhesion, or ground into dust or particles for other uses like cultured stone or cement.
Impression’s Eco-Friendly Practices
Impression puts eco-friendly practices first, and we’re always working both internally and with our suppliers for better ways to improve our environmental impact.
Reducing Noise & Debris Pollution
One way that Impression reduces environmental impact is through reduced noise and debris pollution. Our state-of-the-art drilling machines are made with built-in dust containment systems, and quarries use innovative short-delay blasting caps that eliminate air vibrations for reduced sound.
Reducing Energy
Keeping stone production a low-energy process is very important to us. For one, we make sure our processing facilities are in close proximity to quarries, reducing transportation costs and transportation emissions. Whenever possible, loading and handling equipment runs on electric or natural gas to reduce air pollution, and our diesel compressors have been replaced with fixed electric ones.
Improving Human Safety
The stone production process should prioritize people too. Impression is always encouraging improvement with regards to our workers’ health and safety, as well as respecting the neighbors of our quarries and facilities.
Recycling Byproducts
Where possible, Impression is always sure to recycle. Oils, tires, metals, wood, plastic, and paper are all sorted and sent to the proper recycling facilities. The pallets we use to carry stone are made of recycled plastic, or of wood from sustainable forests.
Restoring Natural Environments
When a quarry is decidedly closed from further drilling or extraction, they are restored into natural environments to create a healthier environment landscape. Smaller ones are filled with earth and returned to agricultural use, while larger ones are banked at a 45-degree angle and become reservoirs or small lakes for recreational use.
Choose Eco-Friendly Natural Stone From Impression
Not all stone supply companies have the same standards, and Impression is proud to put the environment first while delivering top-quality custom home features. Contact our team today to see how you can reimagine your home, all while using eco-friendly stone!
