SG: The Natural Stone Institute (NSI) first became involved with the Flooring Sustainability Summit as a natural progression of our longstanding collaborative relationships with the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) and the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). Our initial interactions were rooted in a common commitment to sustainability -- emphasizing healthy materials, low embodied carbon and durability, as well as qualified labor in our industries. These shared values laid a solid foundation for mutual understanding and cooperation. Through this relationship, the need for a more structured platform to drive these initiatives was apparent, which naturally led to our involvement in the Flooring Sustainability Summit. Here, we could further our advocacy for sustainable practices and continue to build awareness about the inherent attributes of our materials and how they contribute to green building goals in the building industry. 

SW: What are some reasons you believe are important why NSI should work together with the other organizations for this cause?

SG: Knowledge sharing and collaboration not only strengthen our relationships, but also enhance our collective capabilities to address the sustainability challenges our industry faces. Together we can do more!

SW: What are some things NSI would like to accomplish being a part of the Summit?

SG: Our involvement in the Flooring Sustainability Summit will amplify our impact, leverage the collective expertise of all stakeholders and foster a deeper understanding of sustainable materials within the wider construction and architecture communities.

SW: We know that natural stone is a sustainable building material, but what are some points you can share for those who are unaware?

SG: Natural stone is an exceptional choice for projects with green building goals, and it deserves more attention. Unlike artificial materials, natural stone is nearly complete in its natural state, requiring minimal processing. The simple quarrying and fabrication processes result in significantly lower embodied carbon compared to the complex manufacturing of materials like precast concrete, engineered quartz, porcelain and brick.

While these artificial materials start with raw material extraction like natural stone, they require additional transportation and energy-intensive processes, often involving high temperatures, harmful emissions, chemical reactions and potentially hazardous ingredients. In contrast, natural stone’s environmental impact is much lower, as evidenced by our Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which quantify its global warming potential.

SW: What are some other NSI initiatives for sustainability?

SG: Our commitment to maintaining relevance and awareness of the Natural Stone Sustainability Standard is paramount. This credential provides third-party verification of responsible sustainability practices among quarriers and producers, with metrics that align with the Mindful Materials framework: Ecosystem Health, Social Health and Equity, Climate Health and Human Health.

We are also organizing efforts to develop more industry-wide Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and provide guidance and affordability for individual natural stone companies to generate their own EPDs.

We are really prioritizing sustainability initiatives this year, so there are even more exciting things in the works!

SW: Is there anything else you would like to share?

SG: I think that’s it. Thank you so much for the opportunity to share!