Sustainability Series: Natural Building Materials

Johnston Quarry Group join us to share how sustainable stone really is as a natural building material.

What does sustainability mean when it comes to quarrying stone?

We are passionate about protecting our resources and actively promote the use of ALL natural building materials. At our own localised mineral sites we are committed to ensuring that our operations have limited impact on the environment. Throughout the Group, we constantly strive to promote environmentally friendly policies and sustainable developments.

How important is sustainability to you as a business?

It remains an important fact that being an environmentally aware business requires consideration of impact on society and the environment. Our business is sustainable because we help contribute to the health of the structure within which we operate. This helps to construct an environment in which our business can further develop and thrive. A sustainable business also helps improve the quality of our lives, protects our ecosystem. Furthermore, it is important to preserve natural resources for future generations.

What steps have you taken to ensure that you prioritise sustainability as a business?

AT JQG, we have developed a Sustainability and Environmental Statement that outlines our commitments. In addition to complying with all relevant legal requirements, we actively invest in sustainability across the Group. We strive to attain a satisfactory balance between economic, social and environmental responsibilities. We believe it is important to create awareness amongst all employees about environmental issues and provide the appropriate training too.

Throughout the Group we minimise the amount of waste produced by following legislation requirements for reducing, reusing, crushing and recycling. We have also established a programme of energy usage reduction with measurable targets. Another key focus is on water usage. Water, along with harvested rainwater, is effectively reused and recycled at every stage of the dimensional stone cycle. This extends from the extraction process through to the cutting process. We even use recycled water to clean plant equipment and machinery

A further focus on internal operations and purchasing ensures best use of natural resources and minimal environmental impact. This means that we regularly invest in new plant and machinery and ensure efficient transportation of minerals from our Quarries and Mines to our customers.

Furthermore we seek to develop relationships with suppliers, customers and contractors to discuss and promote improvements in environmental performance. This allows us to incorporate environmental considerations into future decision-making at all levels.

Is there any advice that you would give to someone looking to use natural stone who is conscious about the environment?

Stone, being a natural product of the Earth does not require other materials or resources to create it. It’s varying appearance and mineral composition is the result of millions of years of geological change. Choosing natural stone over other high energy products, such as brick and concrete, demonstrates that you are taking responsibility to care for the planet. Natural stone is not only the perfect choice for its versatility, aesthetics and performance, but also the cost goals on both the exterior fabric of a building or the interior of your home. This extends to the long term too.

If maintained properly natural stone will last for years, maybe even decades, and reward you with its beauty. Caring for your stone using cleaners which are approved to meet sustainability standards means they contain no harmful chemicals and will not pollute the environment.

Stone is completely recyclable and has the potential to serve many different uses and purposes over its lifetime. Salvaging and recycling natural stone proves to be a very sustainable way to completely fulfil the useful life of this natural building material.