(763) 493-5238 LOGIN HOME PRODUCT PORTFOLIO LOCATIONS CONTACT US Environmental Sustainability & the Tile Industry HomeResourcesEnvironmental Sustainability & the Tile Industry Environmental Sustainability & the Tile Industry The porcelain and ceramic tile industry understands that ecology is not just good intentions but a practical issue of our industry and our global community. At Ceramic Tileworks we are committed to the environment and recognize that sustainability is an important and ongoing mission. We work with only the most reputable Italian, Spanish and domestic manufacturers to ensure that all the material we supply meets our sustainability standards. Ceramic and porcelain tile is made using 100% plentiful, natural materials such as clay, feldspar and quartz. The Italian, Spanish and domestic factories producing our material merge technological expertise, innovative design and a commitment to environmental sustainability to produce trendsetting tiles in a zero-waste manufacturing process. In fact, Italian porcelain tile producers are governed by some of the most stringent environmental legislation anywhere in the world. Legislative requirements control raw material utilization, anti-pollution production devices, post-industrial recycling, air quality, and the use of recycled materials for product packaging. The result is manufacturing technologies with a lower environmental impact and products that deliver excellent ecological qualities. Italian environmental standards for the porcelain tile industry are certified through ISO 14001, EMAS and the European Union Ecolabel. They focus on the following important elements: Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) This cradle to grave product analysis is important in the porcelain and ceramic tile industry because the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of ceramic tile as a finishing material ranks the highest for expected life and lowest for cost per square foot per year among all floor covering types. Certified Processes EMAS and ISO 14001 are certifications that European tile manufacturers achieve through commitment and compliance with environmental manufacturing production plans and processes. Recycled Content Almost all Italian tile products contain a least 10% pre-consumer recycled content due to government regulations that require efficient manufacturing processes. These processes recycle wastewater, energy and raw materials back into the production cycle. Many products can contain 25 to 40% per-consumer recycled content. Manufacturers are also developing products using post-industrial recycled materials. Design A very important element to the overall issue of sustainability is design. The intrinsically sustainable characteristics of porcelain and ceramic tile support LEED design. Porcelain tiles offer energy efficiency with inherent thermal mass that reduces peak heating and cooling to moderate temperature in your space. The materials used to make tile are generally found within 500 miles of manufacturing facilities, dramatically reducing the energy and emissions that come from long-distance shipping and giving tile the lowest carbon footprint of any flooring choice. The design of the project married with all the positive physical attributes of porcelain tile creates buildings and spaces that are environmentally friendly and cost effective. As a distributor we look at the fashion of tile but also the long-range design potential of any line we choose to distribute because we expect tile installations to be environmentally friendly and support your aesthetic and design. Installation Laticrete is our main installation material supplier. They are a leader of green installation products with many materials qualifying for LEED points. One example is a new product, 125 Sound and Crack adhesive, comprised of 30% post-consumer recycled material. Visit a Showroom Our extensive showrooms offer a relaxed and enjoyable space to make your perfect tile selection. SHOWROOM LOCATIONS Discover Our Products Find the perfect tile or mosaic for your space by browsing our wide selection of porcelain tile, ceramic tile, wall tile, mosaics, natural stone tile, glass tile and metal tile. SEARCH PRODUCTS Request Product Information Interested in a specific collection? Need a product sample? Looking for additional technical information? We are happy to help with any request you may have! REQUEST INFORMATION Top ABOUT US We partner with our customers to support their success and add value to their business. READ MORE PRODUCT Porcelain Ceramic Wall tile Mosaics Natural Stone Glass Tile Metal Tile Accessories PORTFOLIO LOCATIONS CONTACT US ABOUT US People Careers RESOURCES Care & Maintenance Environmental Sustainability Frequently Asked Questions Glossary of Tile Terms Links Showroom / Corporate Office 11225 86th Avenue North Maple Grove, MN 55369 info@ceramictileworksmn.com (763) 493-5238 @ 2018 Ceramic Tileworks. All Rights Reserved. Site Map Powered by ClickTecs