The Brew Cabin

I realise that it's probably a rather complcated issue but does anyone know anything about the environmental impact/sustainability of the Indian sandstone industry? With timber you can opt for FCS certified timber and other schemes meant to monitor sustainability is there a similar certification for stone? These sandstones seem so cheap I have to wonder what the environmental issues are. I like the idea of using natural stone over concrete products, but wonder if anyone has ideas about the ethical/green arguements. Thanks.

The whole imported stone business is relatively new to these islands, so not many folk are really aware of what goes on back in the quarries in India, China, Turkey or wherever the stone is sourced. However, given the unbelivably low cost of some of these materials, it's a strong likelihood that there is little concern for environmental issues, H&S and worker's rights in the countries concerned.

Some might suggest that we shouldn't apply our wealthy western notions of 'rights' and sustainibility to non-western nations, imposing standrads on their society and development that were never required of our nations when we evolved to the high standard of living we enjoy today. Otrher will say that the standards expected in a western society should be the required anywhere else in the world.

I don't want to get into the politics of globalisation, of which the imported sandstone flags currently sweeping the nation are but a small part, but, when you consider the environmental impact of shipping vast quantities of stone half-way around the world, and then try to offset that against the job opportunties such exports afford to developing nations....well, it can just give you a headache!

Is there any ethical, environmental or "green" advantage in using native British or Irish stone over imported stone? Is it right for us to continue qurrying in, say, the Peak district in order for us to reduce the amount of stone we need to bring in from, say, Turkey?

I have my own views, but they are no more valid that anyone else's, but I wouldn't mind hearing what others think of the growing practice of hauling relatively worthless lumps of rock around the planet.

Over to you....