Referring to buildings as ‘waste in transit’ may seem strange for a supply chain network serving the built environment, but when we sit back and think through the statement, it’s true…every building has an evolutionary life cycle.
It starts, most often, with an architectural vision, moves into the construction phase, provides a corporate or lifestyle setting, and ultimately faces demolition to make way for something new.
This concept of waste is not just about physical debris, it’s also about the processes and energy used in each phase. By acknowledging the relevance of this lifecycle, we see more clearly the value of sustainable practices in architecture, in construction and in the choices made by corporates in mitigating environmental impact.
It would be easy to think that the Eco Friendly Tiles International Network, which supplies tiles, surfaces and facades to architectural practices and specifiers, is bracketed only in the construction phase. But, actually, our involvement in the sustainability ecosystem contributes positively to each phase of a building’s life.
For example, we don’t just define sustainable products by the volume of recycled or repurposed content. For us, being eco friendly begins with the ethical sourcing of raw materials, engaging with manufacturers over production processes, and ensuring every tile or façade is not only fit for purpose but also meets core lifecycle criteria. Then, we capture all this detail in Environmental Product Declarations that are ISO accredited. No greenwash, no nebulous claims.
This has been our mission for more than 10 years and it’s why the Eco Friendly Tiles International Network is increasingly recognised as the ‘go to’ brand among architects, corporates and specifiers as a world leader in sustainable products.
We work closely with manufacturers to unlock opportunities for sustainability in production, whether that’s through investment in hydrogen kilns and renewable energy, and we collaborate on innovative product compositions, such as the repurposing of spent solar panels. And once the life of a building is done, we know that our tiles, surfaces and façade systems will themselves be capable of renewal through recycling or repurposing. That’s a good legacy to leave.