17 Nov The sustainable life cycle of natural stones: Marble, Quartzite and Granite
When it comes to choosing materials for building and decorating spaces, it is essential to consider sustainability. An increasingly popular option is natural stones, such as marble, quartzite and granite. In addition to their beauty and durability, these materials have a sustainable life cycle, from extraction to proper disposal. In this article, we will explore this life cycle and highlight the sustainable practices associated with these stones.
Sustainable life cycle
The first step in the life cycle of natural stones is responsible extraction. Quarries that extract marble, quartzite and granite are increasingly adopting sustainable practices to minimize their environmental impact. In addition, many quarries are implementing reforestation techniques to help preserve local biodiversity.
A Zucchi partners with companies that share the same environmental concerns. Vermont, one of our long-standing partners, has adopted several sustainable practices through the use of green energy. With a total of three active solar plants, it meets 80% of its energy consumption, generating an impressive 64.000 kW of green energy. This initiative not only significantly reduces CO² emissions, but also contributes to the preservation of 157.000 trees per plant.
Additionally, Vermont is mindful of the careful selection of quarry capacity for each new material, ensuring that the financial impact does not outweigh the environmental impact. All of its quarries implement practices to treat and reuse water for consumption, along with the retention of rainwater for use in daily processes such as quarry cutting and irrigation, with the aim of reducing dust generated by transport machinery.
We also highlight the initiative to reuse water from the cutting process, which goes through a solid waste decantation process and is reused for subsequent cuts. In Zucchi, we reaffirm our commitment to sustainability, ensuring that our partnerships and operations are aligned with environmental preservation and the promotion of eco-efficient practices.
After extraction, natural stones undergo a processing stage to achieve the desired shape and finish. During this phase, it is important to adopt efficient practices to minimize material waste. Zucchi Luxury Stones implements several preservation actions, such as the treatment and reuse of water throughout the production process, the use of solar energy to reduce energy consumption from non-renewable sources, and a nature reserve to help offset greenhouse gas emissions. We have adopted these and other initiatives, such as selective waste collection and sustainable landfill practices, following all criteria of environmental regulations.
In this sense, the Natural Stone Institute has published a set of industry-wide Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and the results released make it clear how choosing natural stone can help reduce embodied carbon in construction projects. Some of the reasons cited include the number of processes involved in the production of each material, which is significantly higher in the case of synthetic materials.
Check out the comparison of CO² emissions in the image below.
Unit of Measurement: Global Warming Potential (kg CO2 eq)
Functional Unit: 1m2 | Scope: Raw Material Extraction, Transportation, Manufacturing (A1-A3)
Natural Stone: Comprehensive EPDs for Coatings, Flooring & Countertops in Industry
Precast Concrete Coating: Comprehensive EPD for Architectural Precast Panels, 150 lbs per ft3, 4” thick
Engineered Quartz: Average of three individual EPDs including Corian Quartz, Vicostone and Lotte
Terrazzo: Average of three individual EPDs including Compac, Sensitile and Sherwin Williams
Durable and versatile: maintenance, reuse and proper disposal
One of the main advantages of natural stones is their durability. Marble, quartzite and granite have a long lifespan and withstand daily wear and tear. This means that when used in floors, countertops, cladding and other elements, these stones can last for decades, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
In addition to their durability, these stones are also highly versatile. They can be used in a variety of projects and styles, from residential to commercial spaces. This versatility allows the stones to adapt to different needs over time, contributing to their sustainability.
To ensure that natural stone maintains its beauty over the years, proper maintenance is necessary. However, this maintenance does not have to be harmful to the environment. Choosing eco-friendly cleaning products and treatments also helps to minimize the environmental impact.
Furthermore, if natural stones need to be replaced or removed from a project, they can be reused. The stones can be recycled or reused in other projects, avoiding improper disposal. This practice contributes to the circular economy.
Finally, when it comes time to dispose of natural stones, it is important to do so properly. Landfilling is not the best option, as it takes up valuable space and can have negative environmental impacts. Instead, it is recommended to look for companies that specialize in recycling natural stones. These companies can crush the stones and reuse them in new products, such as aggregates for construction.
Conclusion: Authenticity and Sustainability
The life cycle of natural stones, such as marble, quartzite and granite, involves responsible practices from extraction to proper disposal. Throughout the cycle, these stones offer a variety of environmental benefits. When choosing natural stones in construction and decoration projects, we are opting for authentic materials, as nature never replicates the same exact pattern, making each piece unique. These materials are durable and more sustainable, reducing environmental impact.
That's why it's important to choose responsible companies, like Zucchi, who have a genuine concern for the entire production process and are constantly seeking improvements.