| Many people think that by simply choosing natural | | | | green standard of living. These homes may even be |
| stone for a construction project, the environmentally | | | | LEED certified. This program is part of the U.S. Green |
| friendly choice has been made. Natural stone is earth | | | | Building Council and is a rating system by which a |
| friendly, however, the process by which a supplier | | | | building is certified green. The rating system is made |
| processes and quarries the stone affects the carbon | | | | up of five parts: sustainability of sites, efficiency of |
| footprint, too. By researching the suppliers of natural | | | | water, energy, materials/resources and indoor |
| stone, one can be sure that the most | | | | environment quality. While these standards may seem |
| environmentally friendly option has been found. | | | | idealistic, more builders and companies are becoming |
| Suppliers of natural stone understand the importance | | | | concerned with environmental practices. |
| of the environment and the impact the processing of | | | | Even though most families are not custom building |
| the stones has on nature. Many suppliers are now | | | | their dream home, those home owners which are |
| planning ahead so that the adverse environment | | | | planning on remodeling or renovating an older building |
| factors are reduced. Finding a supplier who recycles | | | | should make a responsible effort to seek out only |
| more water than they use and that is concerned | | | | those companies which take an active involvement in |
| with reclamation of the quarries is a necessity. By | | | | being sustainable. With the most popular remodeling |
| minimizing the use of on site transport and stone | | | | being of the kitchen, it just makes sense to expect |
| based waste products, quarries are making advances | | | | home owners to upgrade the countertops and |
| in sustainability. | | | | shelving throughout the kitchen. |
| The Natural Stone Council has a sustainability | | | | By researching companies and asking a few questions |
| committee specifically concerned with these issues. | | | | of companies which quarry and process natural |
| Calling a company green is not just a modern | | | | stone, it will help these companies to be aware of |
| marketing tool. The Natural Stone Council is | | | | how their methods impact the environment. This will |
| concerned with improving the way stone is quarried. | | | | help set the standard and reinforce the importance |
| A sustainable company is not only benefiting the | | | | of using green practices in their everyday business. |
| environment, but is also insuring its longevity in | | | | By using stone companies that adhere to the strict |
| business. Being sustainable means that there will be | | | | sustainability requirements, the earth, the stone |
| no need to outsource. A sustainable company can | | | | quality, and the financial bottom line will all be |
| stand on its own and keep costs down. This is just | | | | rewarded. Ultimate sustainability helps keep overhead |
| one particular area of environmental awareness with | | | | costs low and the savings are then passed on to the |
| regards to the construction industry. | | | | consumers. |
| More homes are being constructed to maintain the | | | | |