Environment and sustainability
Sustainability is a top priority for modern architects, building contractors and suppliers. The environmental impact of a building, and the materials used to construct it, should be at the forefront of everyone involved, from conception to grand opening and beyond.
Locally quarried, ethically sourced
You’ll already know that we’re not simply stone suppliers. We own the limestone quarries, too. This gives us greater control and flexibility in the way that we operate and the decisions we make.
We’re committed to environmentally-friendly policies and sustainable development. We care about the planet, and we’re passionate about protecting its resources.
Our goal is for all operations at Stamford Stone to become carbon neutral. This is a journey we’re committed to seeing through to the end, and the environmental improvements we’re making all the time are testament to that.
EPD Report highlights sustainability of Clipsham limestone
| We have recently secured an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) report for our Clipsham limestone, which details its sustainability and environmental impact.
The report was compiled by a neutral body, and will help architects, contractors, project managers and other stakeholders to make a fully-informed decision when considering Clipsham limestone for their next project. In testing Cipsham limestone against various trade standards (such as EN15804), our stone was found to possess “Exceptional durability and resistance to pollution,” and is “a preferred choice in construction and restoration projects”. We’re very proud of the low impact and high degree of sustainability of Clipsham limestone. With this new EPD report, you can be assured that you’re making an environmentally-sound choice when you select our stone for your building development or restoration. Read the full report here. |
Making the right choice
When you choose our English limestone, you can be sure that:
- 95% of our block stone never travels more than 20 miles to our production site.
- We will always harvest and recycle rainwater for use in our quarrying processes.
- Our by-products (aggregate and agricultural lime) actively help to minimise waste since they are reused, and never sent to landfill.
- Our quarries have full replanting and re-landscaping plans. In years to come, they will return to being natural beauty spots, harmonised with their surrounding environment.
Naturally appealing
Natural stone is one of the most sustainable building materials it’s possible to use. It offers:
- Low embodied energy
- No inherent toxins or pollutants
- High thermal capacitance
- Unparallelled resilience
Our quarries have approximately 900 years’ supply of Clipsham limestone left, so you can be sure that you can always make the sustainable choice.
Traditional materials that have stood the test of time are less likely to go in and out of fashion and so these give our architecture a timeless quality. With stone we appreciate the whole-life cost benefits - it is robust, long-lasting, requires minimal ongoing maintenance and ages gracefully.
Building with stone involves traditional detailing and craftsmanship and so stone buildings are generally well-built and built to last. In this way, we consider natural stone as a key contributor to sustainable building and this is enhanced by sourcing stone that is local to any project's site.
Tom McGlynn from Niall McLaughlin Architects explains why his practice chooses natural stone as its preferred building material.
Environmental Policy
Stamford Stone Company Ltd recognises that businesses can have a negative impact on the environment. We are committed, and enjoy, finding ways in which we can reduce the impact of our work.
It is our policy to:
Reduce waste
- Reduce the amount of waste material hauled by scanting blocks 2 sides before they leave the quarry (Clipsham Medwells).
- Recycle all waste material possible, into by products such as rockery stone or lime dust.
Save energy
- Keep energy usage low. Investigate further energy saving opportunities, with funding from the carbon trust.
Reduce our transport footprint
- Source 95% of our block stone from within 20 miles of our works site.
- 85% of our haulage to be in-house, using our modern motor fleet with Euro5 diesel engines – which are efficient and low polluting.
- Organize transport of part loads in multi-drops to reduce unnecessary journeys.
Create sustainable packaging
- We use packaging only to the extent appropriate to ensure safe handling, storage and transport, minimizing the risk of damage to the product.
- We collect pallets on return loads, repair where necessary, and reuse them.
Save water
- Rainwater harvesting systems are in place at our quarry and works sites.
- Water filtration plants on works site recycles 100% of the water used in our production processes.
Streamline our administration
- Limit the use of paper wherever possible. For example, by sending quote documents as PDF files.
- Avoid the use of postal services, saving on transportation and on paper . Invoices and statements of account are to be sent via email.
- Avoid unnecessary travel by making use of telephone and email.
- We aim to regularly review our Environmental Policy and seek to reduce our impact each and every year.
