In Ghirardi’s philosophy, beauty merges with innovation and sustainability becoming an intrinsic value of every choice. This is why it is one of the first signatories of “Naturally Sustainable”, the Manifesto of Sustainability of Genuine Natural Stone, promoted by the PNA with the aim of communicating and enhancing the qualities of stone products and their positive impact on the entire supply chain of sustainable design and construction in the environmental, economic and social spheres.
In this way, it can actively participate in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda, in particular concerning responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), inclusive, safe, durable and sustainable cities and human settlements (SDG 11), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), climate action (SDG 13) and partnership for the goals (SDG 17).
A LASTING BOND LIKE NATURAL STONE
PEOPLE
Sustainable identity for Ghirardi means working natural stone with respecting people and the community.
Starting with the stakeholders, who are but a group of people with whom we forge solid relationships to share skills, responsibilities and common goals that are realised in each project, defining the quality and perspective of our relationships each time.
Respect that is later reflected in the community, promoting social sustainability and concretely supporting all those non-profit, cultural and sports associations committed to the territory, for the welfare of all.
ENVIRONMENT
You can only respect the environment if you respect matter, energy, work, health, skills, research and development. The company has therefore pursued the environmentally sustainable approach to the extraction of its own quarries with full respect for safety and the environment by reducing the amount of by-products and derivatives that are utilised in cement processing, plasters and the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
The head office is also equipped with modern photovoltaic panels that contribute to the reduction of energy consumptions while all investments are directed towards the purchase of technologies with reduced environmental and energy impact.
Finally, the recycling and total recovery of water is at the heart of the production system: there is no dispersion and all water used during processing is filtered, purified and fed back into the production cycle.
SUSTAINABLE QUARRYING
Ghirardi adopts a series of sustainable practices in the quarrying of natural stones, with the aim of reducing material waste and containing water consumption.
Furthermore, it recovers all the water used during the production process and produces renewable energy, using the most advanced technologies to reduce waste and designing customised projects that enhance the value of natural stone, with a consequent reduction in waste to the advantage of the environment and the client.
ESG AND LCA CERTIFICATION
(LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT)
The importance of ESG rating, an acronym for the environmental, social and governance criteria used to assess the sustainable and responsible performance of a company or investment, is now central to the company. Ghirardi wants to be sustainable in the long term and to know the future social and environmental impact of its business.
As one of the first Italian companies to have joined the PNA Network project, it has contributed to a study, in collaboration with the Turin Polytechnic, on the certified sustainability of authentic natural stone products compared to alternative industrial materials, to enable a responsible choice in “green” building.
Using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, the project assessed the average impact of a 2-cm thick natural stone slab, considering an initial group of 12 different materials quarried and processed in Italy. The results showed that the environmental impact of stone processing on the climate change of an Italian natural stone slab is 7.9 kg CO2 eq/m2, with minimum values of 6.0 kg CO2 eq/m2 and maximum values of 15.0 kg CO2 eq/m2. Compared to a synthetic slab of the same thickness (1.2 cm) intended for the same use, the natural stone slab showed lower impacts on climate change.
RENEWABLE ENERGIES
The photovoltaic system, inaugurated with the new premises, produces much of the energy needed for the laboratory and offices.
Thanks to the energy recovered from the sun, it contributes to CO2 abatement with a degree of efficiency guaranteed by the latest generation system.
SYSTEMS
RECYCLING
A continuous cycle of water that enters the plants, is used for processing and is then filtered into its components.
Clean water returns to the cycle of the laboratory’s production, the waste compounds are compacted and enter the circle of processing by other companies.
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
Natural stones are recyclable materials par excellence and are environmentally friendly.
Once processed, they are 100% reused, including for nature conservation projects.
WASTE DISPOSAL
Attention to the environment also passes through the awareness of the entire company staff in managing the correct disposal of waste and an increasingly efficient organisation of office materials and plate packaging.
