Environmental Impact of Materials
Granite
Granite is a natural stone requiring extraction from quarries. Our commitment to responsible sourcing means we partner with quarries that implement modern extraction techniques that minimize environmental disruption and practice comprehensive site rehabilitation.
Natural stone requires no chemical manufacturing process, though energy is consumed during extraction, cutting, and transportation. Granite’s exceptional durability creates a lifetime product that won’t need replacement for decades, significantly reducing its lifetime environmental impact compared to shorter-lived alternatives.
Quartz
Our engineered quartz surfaces contain over 90% natural quartz crystals, a plentiful natural resource, combined with resins and pigments. Manufacturing is optimised for energy efficiency, and we select suppliers who use water recycling systems that recapture up to 98% of water used in production.
Many of our quartz collections incorporate recycled materials, including post-industrial waste and recycled glass, reducing landfill waste while creating beautiful, functional surfaces.
Dekton
Dekton’s production utilizes Sinterized Particle Technology, which mimics the natural process of stone formation but accelerated over hours rather than millennia. While energy-intensive during production, this creates an ultra-durable material resistant to virtually all forms of degradation.
The manufacturer operates carbon offset programs and has invested significantly in renewable energy, with solar panels providing substantial power to production facilities. Dekton’s exceptional longevity and outdoor durability allow it to replace multiple generations of less durable materials.
Our Sustainability Commitments
Hereford Stone Offcut Programme
We’ve created an innovative solution to the industry-wide challenge of stone offcuts through our sister company, Hereford Stone:
Every remnant and offcut from our fabrication process is carefully catalogued in our Hereford Stone inventory system. These pieces range from small fragments suitable for mosaic work to substantial pieces perfect for vanity tops, hearths, or cutting boards.
Our Hereford Stone showroom displays these remnants for designers, DIY enthusiasts, and craftspeople to purchase at significantly reduced prices. This provides affordable stone options to the community while ensuring valuable material doesn’t end up in landfill.
Materials too small for reuse as-is are transformed into value-added products like:
- Stone tile collections for backsplashes and feature walls
- Garden stepping stones and landscaping features
- Decorative aggregates for terrazzo and concrete applications
- Crushed stone for drainage and substrate applications
Through this programme, we’ve achieved a remarkable 74% diversion rate of stone waste from landfill, with only minimal waste from the fabrication process being discarded, and we’re doing everything possible to increase it.
Water Recycling System
Water is a precious resource, and our state-of-the-art water recycling system demonstrates our commitment to conservation:
Our closed-loop water recycling system captures 100% of water used in our cutting and polishing processes. This water passes through a multi-stage filtration system that removes stone particles down to 1 micron in size, allowing us to reuse the same water repeatedly in our production processes.
Responsible Sourcing
Quarry Selection
We personally inspect supplier operations before establishing relationships. Our selection criteria include:
- Modern extraction techniques with minimal blasting
- Comprehensive site rehabilitation plans
- Efficient use of resources and minimal waste
- Safe working conditions and fair labour practices
- Community engagement and support
Supply Chain Transparency
We maintain full traceability of all materials from extraction to installation. Each slab is documented with its origin, and we regularly audit our supply chain to ensure continued compliance with our ethical and environmental standards.
For exotic stones from developing regions, we require additional verification of working conditions and environmental practices. We prioritize suppliers who invest in their local communities through education, infrastructure, and economic development.
Regional Focus
Whenever possible, we source European stones to reduce transportation emissions. Our primary suppliers are located in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and the UK, with specialty stones sourced globally when necessary.
For local projects, we highlight British stone options and maintain relationships with historic quarries that provide stones with significant architectural heritage value for restoration and conservation projects.
Product Longevity and Lifecycle
Durability Benefits
The exceptional durability of stone surfaces represents significant environmental benefits through longevity. While the initial environmental impact of stone may be higher than some alternatives, their lifespan of 50+ years means they typically outperform other materials in lifecycle assessments.
A stone countertop may replace 3-5 generations of laminate surfaces or 2-3 generations of solid surface materials, reducing the cumulative environmental impact of manufacturing, installation, and disposal of multiple replacements.
Eco-Friendly Maintenance
Our care products are formulated to be environmentally sensitive while effectively maintaining your surfaces. Our stone sealers use water-based formulations with low VOC content, and our recommended cleaning products are biodegradable and phosphate-free.
We’ve developed a specialized maintenance guide for using everyday household products like baking soda and mild dish soap that minimize environmental impact while keeping your surfaces in pristine condition.
End-of-Life Considerations
Though rarely necessary due to their durability, when stone surfaces are eventually removed, they remain 100% recyclable. Natural stone can be crushed for aggregate, cut into smaller pieces for new applications, or processed for use in concrete production.
Quartz and Dekton can similarly be repurposed for other applications or crushed for use in construction materials, keeping these materials in productive use rather than in landfills.
At Hereford Granite, sustainability is integral to our business practices. We continually evaluate and improve our processes to reduce environmental impact while providing products that last for generations. For more detailed information about our sustainability initiatives, please contact us via the Contact Page.