When you're thinking of purchasing tile for your home project and you want to feel good about your decision from an environmental standpoint, here are some points you should consider:

 1) Does the manufacturer recycle any of the materials needed to create the tile?

2) Is the tile made from entirely natural materials?

3) Does the manufacturer support energy efficient production?

4) Is the tile fired in an eco-friendly way?

5) What is the life expectancy on the tile? How long will it last before it will need replacement?

As the popularity of green building is taking hold, many manufacturers are continuing to refine their processes to be more earth-friendly. They're reducing their "carbon footprint" to be more respectful of the environment, and they're proactive when it comes to energy, water and raw materials conservation.

The ceramic tile industry is no stranger to this concept and European manufacturers have been implementing positive changes for years. In particular, many Spanish tile manufacturers are recycling water and post-industrial waste, conserving energy by using their own solar power, and using co-generation which is the use of a heat engine or a power station to simultaneously generate both electricity and useful heat.

Tile of Spain manufacturer Natucer is part of a group of companies leading the ceramic tile industry in their respect for and conservation of the environment. They have set up rigorous controls to obtain greater efficiency in power consumption and conservation of raw materials. During production, Chamotte is used, which is a ceramic material made from recycled tile that is wet ground and milled. This process reduces the impact on the environment because the company is reusing scrap that would otherwise be dumped in a landfill.

Saloni, another Tile of Spain branded manufacturer, ceased all dumping of waste products starting in 1989, earning the Ministry of Industry's Award for Clean Technology. In addition, they recycle water and tile material in the production process and only steam is emitted from Saloni's factory, no off-gasses or environmentally detrimental waste. Over the past 19 years, they have continued to collaborate with universities and public organizations on research projects that support reusing raw materials and reducing atmospheric pollution through use of an energy co-generator.

Roca Ceramica, another leader in the production of ceramic tile from Spain, are keenly aware of the importance of caring for the environment and proactively execute environmental management initiatives, such as the recycling of all the sludge created during the process and the reuse of 100 percent of industrial water.

Tile of Spain manufacturers lead the way for many years and keep up new technologies that are better for the earth. For more about tile produced in Spain, visit www.spaintiles.info, call (305) 446-4387 or contact Tile of Spain Center at the Trade Commission of Spain, 2655 Le Jeune Road, Suite 1114, Coral Gables, FL 33134.

Courtesy of ARAcontent