In home decoration, natural stone bathtubs are often the first choice for many families because of their luxurious appearance and durable characteristics. Today, nevertheless, we are discussing environmental certification, a topic you might not have given much thought as well as its beauty and utility. With the continuous improvement of environmental awareness, more and more consumers have begun to pay attention to the environmental protection and sustainability of products, and natural stone bathtubs are no exception. What then are the environmental certifications and norms of natural stone bathtubs, as a high-end home design item? How can we make sure the goods we purchase enhance the surroundings and simultaneously enrich life? Let’s investigate with each other!
Natural stone bathtubs become a flexible element in home design
1. The environmental protection characteristics of natural stone itself
Natural stone comes from nature, and naturally occurring environmental benefits abound in some degree from natural stone bathtubs. Stone does not emit dangerous gasses like formaldehyde and does not have any toxic compounds. Therefore, compared with artificial materials, natural stone bathtubs have less impact on the environment during the production process, and have a long service life, reducing the waste of resources caused by frequent product replacement.
However, don’t be blinded by the word “natural”. Environmental protection covers the whole manufacturing and supply chain as well as the actual substance. Understanding the certification and criteria of the natural stone bathtub you purchase will help you to be sure it is a really ecologically friendly product.
2. The significance of environmental certification
Nowadays, more and more environmental certifications and standards are being applied to the production of natural stone. These certifications guarantee that the products consumers use won’t harm the environment or health in addition to proving the green manufacturing capacity of companies. Typical environmental certifications for natural stone bathtubs are LEED certification, ISO 14001 environmental management system certification, GREENGUARD certification, etc.
LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is mainly aimed at building materials, especially in the construction and decoration industries. It possesses rather great power. LEED certification for a natural stone bathtub producer indicates that, to the best of extent, they have saved energy and efficiently lowered environmental pollutants throughout manufacturing.
ISO 14001 certification is a widely used environmental management system certification in the world. Companies have to show that they satisfy environmental criteria at every stage of the manufacturing process, particularly with regard to waste gas and solid waste treatment including wastewater. For businesses that make natural stone bathtubs especially crucial as the stone mining and processing operations create a lot of waste.
Marble bathtub top view
3. Sustainable stone mining
When it comes to the environmental protection of natural stone bathtubs, we have to mention the way the stone is mined. Many people would believe that since stone is a non-renewable resource, mining it would always harm the surroundings. Actually, it relies on the mining technique and degree of management level. Some stone suppliers reduce damage to the natural environment through sustainable mining methods, and also take remedial measures, such as planting trees in mining areas and restoring natural ecology.
Some companies even promise to use only “waste stone”, that is, scraps or waste that cannot be used in other large-scale construction projects, to make natural stone bathtubs. This approach not only cuts stone waste but also lessens the pressure resulting from overuse of resources. You can relax in your natural stone bathtub with more peace of mind if you can locate such a company certified in sustainable mining.
4. Carbon footprint of product transportation
Environmental factors also include the carbon footprint of shipping for hundreds of kg natural stone bathtubs. The mining and production sites of stones are often far apart, and the energy consumed in the transportation process may offset its own environmental characteristics. To lower carbon emissions during transit, so, attempt to select locally mined and produced natural stone bathtub stones. Furthermore, some vendors may offset the carbon footprint created by transportation by means of carbon neutralizing initiatives, such tree-based carbon emissions offseting projects.
Natural stone bathtubs have inherent environmental advantages
5. Environmentally friendly processing technology
In addition to the mining of stone, the processing process of natural stone bathtubs is also crucial. Conventional stone processing generates a lot of waste and dust in addition to using a lot of water supplies and energy. Should the manufacturing method be unfriendly for the environment, these wastes will be straight dumped into the surroundings and contaminate the area.
Some companies have introduced advanced environmental protection equipment, recycled processing water, reduced energy consumption, and used scientific waste treatment methods to minimize the negative impact on the environment. When you buy, you may know how the product is processed and choose natural stone bathtubs made using sustainable techniques to help to preserve the surroundings.
6. Environmental performance during use
Natural stone bathtubs are also a low-energy choice in daily use. Good thermal insulating qualities of stone help to save energy by lowering the frequency of hot water use. Stone also is easily maintained and strong. When cleaning, you only need to wipe it with mild detergent and water, avoiding the need for a large amount of chemical detergents, thereby reducing the pollution of water resources.
However, we should also pay attention to the water consumption during the use of the bathtub. Though the natural stone bathtub itself has no direct impact on water resources, everyone who strives an environmentally friendly life nevertheless emphasizes rational use of hot water, waste avoidance, and good drainage systems.
7. Recycling and reuse of stone
Natural stone’s recyclability adds still another environmental benefit. The stone itself can be recycled and converted into other building materials or utilized in gardening, landscape design and other sectors when you no longer want the bathtub.
At the same time, the stone can be restored to its original luster and beauty after polishing and grinding, so it does not need to be discarded during renovation and replacement. Renovations allow it to be used straight-forwardly, so lowering waste and need for new stone resources.
8. Natural stone bathtubs’ link with environmental conservation and health
Natural stone is good for human health as well as for the surroundings. Unlike some artificial materials, natural stone does not release harmful gases and does not contain VOC (volatile organic compounds), so it is very safe to use indoors. Choosing a natural stone bathtub is absolutely wise if you have particular needs for home air quality.
When purchasing, you can check the relevant test reports of the product to ensure that the stone meets various environmental and health standards. Targeting indoor air quality especially, the GREENGUARD certification strictly controls the release of volatile organic compounds.
Natural stone bathtubs excel in environmental protection and sustainability
Natural stone bathtubs are not only a symbol of luxury life, but also excel in environmental protection and sustainability. Knowing environmental certifications and standards helps us to be more sure in selecting goods that are not only attractive, useful, but also ecologically friendly. From stone mining, processing to transportation and daily use, natural stone bathtubs can contribute to the sustainable development of the earth through environmental protection initiatives. The next time you provide natural stone bathtub purchase some additional knowledge on its environmental origins. Let’s live luxuriously and help the world at the same time!