The slow economy is stopping some in the construction industry from exploring eco-friendly options. It’s not that surprising – the instinct right now is to batten down the hatches and steer a straight course.

But consumers are giving a clear mandate: they want greener, more environmentally friendly building materials. And those who provide will survive.

However the question follows: What makes a product “green” in the first place? Is it the materials used? The manufacturing and installation processes? The distance the material must travel? The impact on the environment post-production?

Actually, it is all of the above and more.

Let’s take countertops. For natural stone, the location of the quarry is one of the biggest factors. Sourcing from nearby quarries would be much greener than importing from outside the country — the longer trip obviously has an impact on the carbon footprint. Other factors like the type of sealant used and the environmental impact of the manufacturing process also determine the “eco-friendliness” of the stone.

But for man-made materials (commonly referred to as engineered stone), it’s a bit more complicated.

It starts with material components. Traditionally, man-made countertops would use close to 100 percent new materials. However there are many beautiful products just becoming available that are made predominantly of recycled materials. Some of the components being used are glass and mirrors, stone chips, ceramics, and even industrial ash. Generally the more recycled material in the countertop, the more it is “green.” 

Try to determine the source of the recycled material. If the company directly reclaims materials destined for a landfill (including materials not normally usable – so called “end of lifecycle” materials), rank that product higher.

Inevitably, the manufacturer will need to use some new materials, particularly the resin needed to bond all the materials together. These chemicals themselves can be quite toxic, they can impact the air quality after installation, and a significant amount of pollution is generated during the manufacturing process. However some resins can be made – at least partially – from natural sources like corn and soy, which boosts the product’s green rating.



Clean And Green

Another important aspect to consider is the cleanliness of the company’s manufacturing process. Do they have energy-saving systems in place like low-wattage lighting, proper insulation, high-efficiency cooling and heating? Do they take measures to reduce reliance on resources like water used during the manufacturing process? What other ways do they help lessen their impact on the environment?
Tracy Streckenbach is CEO of GerrityStone in Woburn.
