Environmental and Social Stewardship

A world to live in and respect

You will have noticed a page dedicated to environmentally conscious products. We are serious about sustainability. Not just about the natural environment but also human rights.

These products are sustainably sourced meaning we visit the production facilities to inspect the latest technologies around water consumption and recycling, raw and fired material use/reuse, heat exchange output just to name a few initiatives.  

Please take note in the product descriptions as it will indicate exactly how the products are making a positive difference to the Earth's sustainability.

For example, our tango and bondi products are made from 49% recycled raw materials. Why is this important? Porcelain tiles are composed of alkali-rich raw materials (quartzite, feldspars and/or feldspar-quartz), clays and water and are naturally reoccurring resources. Every effort must be made to ensure unnecessary use does not exist. 

Our Elegance range is by far our most sustainably sourced product. How?

1. 100% of the packaging material is recycled (timber pallets, wrapping, straps etc) 

2. 95% of the manufacturers employees are permanently contracted in Italy.

3. 94.5% of waste in the entire company is recovered.

4. 100% of the water used in the manufacturing process is recycled, avoiding 192 tonnes of C02 use.

5. Crude materials are 100% recycled into new production.

6. Fired waste materials are 100% recycled into road bases and substrates for building not going into land fill.

7. The energy consumption index is 0.139 GJ per m2 of tiles, using increasingly more renewable energy.

8. A member of the UN Global Compact initiative fighting for: respect for human rights, fair labour standards, environmental sustainability and the fight against corruption. 

Responsibility. Below the surface. 

Our responsibility to your home and it's surfaces

Besides being beautiful and remarkably resistant, PROTECT^® antimicrobial surfaces have been created with Microban^® technology, developed by the world leader in the sector: a true antimicrobial shield built into the ceramic product that eliminates up to 99.9% of bacteria on the surface. The result is a surface which is consistently protected, with high levels of hygiene, unalterable from wear and tear and climatic conditions.

Silver is the base ingredient of this technology: integrated permanently into PROTECT^® products during the industrial firing phase, at over 1200 °C, making it constantly active, 24-7, day and night, throughout the life cycle of the product. When bacteria come in contact with the treated surface, Microban® technology acts by blocking their metabolism; in this way it interrupts the life cycle of bacteria and their ability to spread. This is why the PROTECT^® line is unique in its kind and without competitor.

We take a holistic approach to ensure your spaces look great but are also safe from contaminants.

Ask us in store for further information and the ranges this technology applies to.

Third Party Certifications

Please see further information for products detailed with environmental certifications: 

Greenguard

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute is an industry-independent organisation with a mission to improve indoor air quality and reduce people's exposure to chemicals and other pollutants.  As an ISO-IEC Guide 65:1996 accredited, third-party organization, the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute certifies products and materials for low chemical emissions and provides a resource for choosing healthier products and materials for indoor environments. Certified products must meet chemical emissions standards based on established criteria from key public health agencies.

GREENGUARD Environmental Institute offers three product certification programs and one building certification program.

LEED Certification

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.

Millions of people are living, working and learning in LEED-certified buildings around the world.