GRANITE
This stone is a strong material which makes it good for paving, its colours range from white, pink or grey. The rock can be found all over the world, from Europe to China.
Pros:
– Granite is a very durable stone. (ref) This means it will not have to be replaced for a long time.
– Granite can be sourced locally. (ref) Which reduces the amount the stone needs to travel and reduces the CO2 released due to transport. It also means the stone adheres to the UK’s regulations for mining.
– China, a large producer of granite, has been cracking down on its regulations, shutting down 1000 quarries in the Fujian province alone. Most of these were illegal, or causing major issues for the environment. (ref)
Cons:
– Granite can be harvested from mountains, such as the Aravallis in India. These mountains harvested unsustainably, damaging the environment through deforestation, soil thinning and water redirection. (ref) A lot of these mines are illegal. (ref)
– It is hard to quarry due to its strength. (ref)
– Surface mining methods used in granite can cause the loss of vegetation and habitat, depletion of natural resources and contamination of surface water. (ref)
– It can be very expensive. (ref) This leads to higher demands for cheaper imports, (ref) leading to more energy being required to transport the material, CO2 is released as a result. The UK is a major importer of granite from India, which produces half of granite exports worldwide. (ref) India has been known to have child labour. (ref)
Granite Summary
A very durable stone, Granite can be mined locally in the UK, however this is more expensive than some imports. Imports from abroad will need to be transported, and due to this energy and fuel will be needed, which will, most likely, emit a lot of CO2. Along with emission issues, there are environmental issues in Granite quarries abroad, notably India which has illegal mines, which contribute to the destruction of mountains, and child labour. However, stone and sourcing can be third-party certified, which helps ensure the sourcing of the stone is sustainable and environmentally friendly. Other stones like Sandstone or Marble are also very durable and may offer an alternative to Granite. Man-made Bricks can also offer a durable option.
