Green Initiatives
Atlantis Projects is committed to the Green Building Movement...
WORKING TO PROMOTE THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF NATURAL MATERIALS...
Green initiatives become increasingly popular as people become more aware of the environmental impact of their choices. Green initiatives in the construction industry aim to reduce the environmental impact of building projects while promoting sustainability and social responsibility.
Sustainably-sourced wood: A key initiative in the cabinetry and countertops industry
The cabinetry and countertops industry is no exception, where wood and other natural materials are commonly used with many companies now offering eco-friendly options. On this page, we will discuss some of the green initiatives in this industry, including sustainable materials, energy efficiency, and waste reduction.
One of the most important aspects of green initiatives in cabinetry and countertops is the use of sustainable materials. This can include using the use of sustainably-sourced wood like reclaimed wood for cabinetry or recycled materials for countertops.
Many companies also offer FSC-certified wood, which is harvested from responsibly managed forests and the wood is harvested in a way that does not damage the surrounding environment. Bamboo is another sustainable option for cabinetry and countertops, as it grows quickly and is highly renewable.
The use of natural stone has skyrocketed in the last decade, particularly for interiors. Stone is being used in ways it never has before, largely due to advancements in technology that allow for variations in fabrication. Additionally, the cost of Genuine Stone such as marble and granite has come down as a percentage of building costs. To specify stone for a project means choosing a naturally beautiful, unique and durable material. According to recent data, buildings -- and not cars like many might think -- are the largest source of both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in America as well as around the planet.
Sustainably-sourced wood: A key initiative in the cabinetry and countertops industry
The Natural Stone Council - NSC believes that the use of Genuine Stone may have a positive effect on the overall health of our communities and the world by reducing the current environmental impacts of construction and building. The design of more energy-efficient buildings is a crucial step in addressing the dangers to our environment, and we firmly believe that eco-friendly design and construction will become the norm in the next decade. To that end, the stone industry wants to be on the front end of the green movement. We feel it is one of the most important things we can do for the betterment of our industry. Our goal is to position stone as the preferred sustainable material within the design/build community.

Sustainably-sourced stone: A key initiative in the masonry and countertops industry
The Natural Stone Council - NSC believes that the use of Genuine Stone may have a positive effect on the overall health of our communities and the world by reducing the current environmental impacts of construction and building. The design of more energy-efficient buildings is a crucial step in addressing the dangers to our environment, and we firmly believe that eco-friendly design and construction will become the norm in the next decade.
To that end, the stone industry wants to be on the front end of the green movement. We feel it is one of the most important things we can do for the betterment of our industry.
Our goal is to position stone as the preferred sustainable material within the design/build community.
We hope to do this by helping designers evaluate materials for building projects with hard data. Some of the data will be used to populate the tools that are currently being used and some will be used to directly compare Genuine Stone to other building materials, allowing the most informed, data-driven decisions to be made. Genuine Stone offers many attractive, environmentally friendly benefits, such as durability, ease of care and maintenance, recyclability and an enduring life cycle.
Because stone is such an important material in many key building product classes, the natural stone industry must be able to characterize the life-cycle impacts of its products to meet the evolving demands of the green building marketplace. We hope that once the facts about Genuine Stone are documented and presented, designers, architects, homeowners and retailers will increasingly specify natural stone for their projects in support of the green building. The concept of "green building" may be relatively new, but Genuine Stone and its long history as a durable and environmentally responsible building material are not.
Genuine Stone is formed naturally -- an integral part of the planet with no additives required. It is used in many forms, and it is the basis for innumerable products and projects.
Some of the great "Wonders of the World" -- Stonehenge, the [Roman] Coliseum, the Great Wall, etc. -- are made of stone and stand as a testament to its beauty, durability and character. Stone has been an integral element of building design and construction for as long as we have documented history. In fact, for more than 2,000 years, stone born from Mother Earth has enabled us to erect our temples, cathedrals, monuments, museums and homes. And now, in important ways, Mother Earth is reminding us that our choices have environmental consequences.
