From cradle to gate: sustainability of Sardinian granite

Stone is one of the oldest building and ornamental materials that, more than others, has stood the test of time, as evidenced by the countless stone buildings and monuments of cultural heritage. The objective of this work was to demonstrate the sustainability of stone quarrying for ornamental use, to make it an attractive material in today's increasingly environmentally conscious market. A life cycle assessment (LCA) was carried out in the production of commercial granite blocks, using data collected directly in the quarry in Sardinia, Italy. In this case, by studying the “cradle to gate” cycle, the analysis showed that the final product from the quarry has all the requirements of sustainability.