Sustainability is all about being responsible with our resources, making sure we don't use up everything now and leave nothing for the generations who come after us. It's like finding the perfect balance between making money, taking care of the environment, and making sure everyone gets a fair shot at a good life. In everyday terms, it means doing things that don't mess up the planet too much, treating everyone fairly, and making sure we don't use up everything too quickly. For example; using less plastic, recycling more, treating workers well, and switching to cleaner energy sources. It's basically about being smart about how we do things so we can all keep on living well without wrecking the planet in the process. And it is no different in the world of tiles and flooring!

By making little changes such as using recycled materials when possible and recycling all packing, produce products in an environmentally way and adopt a fair pay policy for all employees involved within the production lines and factories, we can begin to start to make a difference. Rees Tiles work hard to ensure that we only work with reputable factories and suppliers, ones that ethically produce items and look after their staff. It’s worth remembering that if something is cheap, it’s cheap for a reason. That may be quality, it may be the way it has been produced, or even who has been involved during the production process (child labour), or even unfair pay for the staff. These are things we will not tolerate as a company. 

We work with a number of factories and suppliers who have a strong ethos on ensuring the products they produce are fairly and sustainably made. A few of these partnerships are detailed below:

Novabell

Novabell see environmental protection as a way of life and ensure that their products used 40% of recycled materials. By putting the ‘Novabell Ecosystem’ process into practice, they combine the reuse of reject output, waste reduction and energy saving with absolute quality of finished product. The final product contains at least 40% recycled material, and can truly be described as environment-friendly. A few key points about how Novabell work to continually to achieve sustainability are detailed below:

• Monitoring of atmospheric emissions and 100% use of electricity from renewable sources
• Control of water and energy consumption and internal recycling of wastewater
• Recycling and reuse of waste, or differentiated disposal – used as hardcore for road building
• Use of the most environment-friendly raw materials
• All product packaging can be totally reused through proper recycling

Emil

As early as 1982, Emilgroup became one of the industry's pioneers in implementing a closed water cycle. After undergoing chemical-physical treatment, all wastewater from the production plants is entirely recycled, ensuring no industrial water is discharged into the environment. Since 1989, Emilgroup has recycled all its processing waste, incorporating all unfired reject tiles and ceramic sludge back into its body mixes, significantly reducing waste generation. The company also recovers production waste from other ceramic companies in the district, in accordance with specific authorisations. In 2022, Emilgroup began recycling fired waste as well and their internal waste is meticulously sorted and sent to authorised companies for recovery. As a company they invest a lot of time in monitoring atmospheric emissions and ensure these are maintained well below the authorised limits, thanks to the careful management of the plants. They are members of many Green Build councils and hold multiple accreditations and certifications.

Pamesa

Pamesa strive on a daily basis to be committed to sustainability and being environmentally friendly. This is achieved in a number of ways:

• Revaluating waste from the production process. Pamesa operates a wastewater recovery plant that allows for the efficient reprocessing of a large percentage of generated residues
• Classifying waste products into containers for the recovery and recycling of light packaging, cardboard, and paper
• Utilising environmentally friendly energy sources. The firm operates three cogeneration turbines to produce electricity and re-gas
• Developing products with environmentally friendly materials, leveraging the natural properties of ceramic and the latest manufacturing advancements
• Committing to research in environmentally friendly production systems and innovative solutions for sustainable construction
• Investment in renewable energy sources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Recognising the importance of sustainability issues, Pamesa has created a culture of environmental awareness, striving to reduce environmental impact and optimise the production process. Forever being commitment to prevent pollution and guarantee the correct management of waste materials, reusing them, and recycling wherever possible.

Mirage

Mirage work hard to fully recover production scrap and process water, reducing their environmental impact, whilst also adopting the latest technologies ensuring the production process is sustainable and respectful of the environment. They work closely with suppliers, guaranteeing that the raw materials used are quarried responsibly, taking account of both the environment and workers' rights. Some key points below:

• 100% of raw scrap and more than 100% of fired scrap recovered
• 100% of process water recovered, and also undertake to collect and reuse rainwater, thus helping to reduce the amount of mains water used
• Mirage’s packaging has a recycled material content of between 70% and 100%, ensuring that it is sustainable and eco-friendly
• Much of the energy Mirage use is self-produced, demonstrating commitment to renewable energy sources and the reduction of carbon emissions

Mirage strive to reduce their environmental impact to a minimum, and to contribute to the wellbeing of the communities they operate in.

Kerakoll

Over the years, Kerakoll has conducted extensive research to refine their eco-conscious offerings, placing a strong emphasis on sustainability, human health, and energy efficiency. This dedication has led to the creation of thousands of eco-friendly items, establishing Kerakoll as a leader in the global market for green building materials. Kerakoll prioritises reducing its ecological footprint while simultaneously enhancing the health and wellbeing of individuals who interact with their products. As a result, Kerakoll has earned recognition not only for the quality and innovation of their offerings but also for their unwavering dedication to a sustainable future for the construction industry.

Kerakoll has been a pioneer in adopting a closed-loop production system, which focuses on minimising waste and maximising the recycling of raw materials. This sustainable approach allows the company to significantly reduce its environmental footprint. By prioritising research and development, Kerakoll has developed innovative products that lessen the ecological impact of construction projects. Notable among these are their low-VOC (volatile organic compound) adhesives and water-based grouts, which contribute to healthier indoor air quality and reduce harmful emissions. This commitment to sustainability and innovation highlights Kerakoll's role as a leader in environmentally responsible building practices. Kerakoll will undoubtedly continue to innovate and inspire others to embrace more responsible practices in producing sustainable building materials.