For years, marble has been praised for its luxury look and feel, and there's no doubt of its allure. However, what many people don't realise is that the marble industry has become increasingly environmentally unfriendly in recent years. If you're looking for a sustainable alternative to using marble in your home, sintered stone is a great option with an equally stunning finish with the added benefit of being stain-resistant and far more cost friendly.
The Environmental Impact of Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock that is formed when limestone is subjected to high temperatures and pressures. Therefore, marble quarries are typically found in mountainous areas where the rock is extracted through large-scale mining operations. Naturally, the process of taking marble from the earth produces a significant amount of pollution. In fact, the United Nations Environment Programme has warned that the marble industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world.
The biggest environmental concern with marble is the amount of carbon dioxide emissions that are produced during the extraction, on top of that, there are the transport phases of the supply chain that add to its carbon footprint. As marble is a heavy material, it takes a lot of fuel to transport it from the quarry to the point of sale. All of this pollution takes a toll on the environment, and as society pivots to a more sustainable ways of living, many are looking for alternatives to marble in their homes.
Sintered Stone: A Sustainable Alternative to Marble
If you're looking for an eco-friendly alternative to using marble in your home, sintered stone is a great option. Sintered stone is made from natural materials such as quartz, porcelain, or glass that are fused together under high pressure and heat to create a solid surface. It makes for a stunning material whether you are decorating your living room or fitting in new bathroom tiles.
One of the biggest benefits of sintered stone is that it doesn't require any mining or quarrying because it's made from recycled materials, giving it a second life so to speak. This means that sintered stone has a much lower carbon footprint than marble.
In addition, sintered stone is incredibly durable and easy to care for, which makes it a great choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms. It looks equally magnificent as a large slab countertop as it does a small coffee table. Sintered stone comes in a wide variety of colours and styles, so you can find an option that fits your personal taste.
“Buy less, choose well, make it last.” – Vivienne Westwood