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The natural stone market is changing fast. Awareness of environmental issues has soared in the past 12 months. Consumers are more aware than ever of our carbon footprints and our personal impact upon the planet. Ethical issues are now getting much more media attention, too. Child labour and poor working conditions in international supply chains have been exposed – though far from eradicated.
But in response to heightened awareness of environmental and social issues, some companies prefer to greenwash over the issues rather than take the decisive action required to achieve real impact. Unfortunately, companies’ desire to market products as ‘sustainable’ races ahead of their capacity to ensure that supply chain integrity and environmental performance are rigorously substantiated.
In the meantime, greenwash is a real danger to sustainability. Companies are profiting from people who wish to purchase sustainably. So, despite having the power to change businesses, purchasing decisions continue to support un-sustainable business.
One of the most pervasive myths about sandstone from India is that it is entering the country as ships’ ballast – which is often used as an excuse for inaction on social issues. The implication is that it is entering the country anyway and it would therefore be pointless to waste the resource.
Actually, the total volume of Indian sandstone imports into the UK reached 171,853 tonnes in 2007 – more than 100 times the 1,475 tonnes it was in 1997.
It’s a booming industry and much of the stone arriving in the country from unverified sources is being quarried at huge human cost.
In 2007, Marshalls led a high profile campaign to raise awareness in the industry of the many social issues associated with sandstone quarrying in India. The harsh reality of the dangerous and often inhumane working conditions in many quarries was exposed – with evidence of child labour sending shockwaves throughout the industry.
Many importers are similarly reluctant to look too far into social issues endemic in the sandstone quarries of Rhajasthan – such as child labour and debt enforced labour.
But it’s a harsh reality that child labour is still widespread, even though it has long been against the law. The Child Labor (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 of India prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 in factories, mines and other forms of hazardous employment.
Industry associations were reluctant to do more than issue vague statements of support for improved ethical and environmental standards, besides urging caution that insistence on better standards could threaten the incomes of quarries and labourers. Although much was said, little was done.
The perceived barrier to action for many natural stone suppliers is that delivering on ethical criteria in business is a continual (and highly demanding) process of benchmarking, analysis and improvement. Meeting independent standards demands rigorous, regular auditing. It requires a long-term, holistic approach, not ad-hoc tactics.
That’s why Marshalls became the first member of the landscaping industry to join the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) in 2005. The ETI focuses on developing practical solutions to ethical trade that deliver concrete benefits for workers.
Members sign up to the ETI base code, which includes the principles that child labour shall not be used, employment is freely chosen, no harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed, working conditions are safe and hygienic, working hours are not excessive, living wages are paid and workers’ rights are respected.
As members of the Ethical Trading Initiative, corporate members also commit to monitoring and independent verification of their supply chains, driving year-on-year improvements and assessing the impact of their core business activities on labour standards.
As part of this process, Marshalls have employed independent organisations such as SGS to audit our main Chinese Granite supplier and AQSR to audit our sole Indian sandstone supplier for compliance with the ETI Base Code.
Yet maintaining standards is an ongoing challenge – and one that requires constant vigilance. Independent auditing inspections have to be rigorous, regular and unannounced to gain an accurate picture of working conditions. Any issues must be dealt with decisively.
Marshalls recognise that standards cannot simply be imposed in developing countries without also supporting a more sustainable form of development.
Having helped to improve health & safety, ensure fair working practices and invest in production facilities at their sole suppliers, Stoneshippers India, Marshalls are all too aware that injustices could be happening just down the road at another site.
To support wider social progress in the area, Marshalls have provided funds since February 2007 for a voluntary organisation, Hadoti Hast Shilp Sansthan, which aims to transform the lives of desperately poor migrant quarry workers.
Marshalls’ funding has helped provide social insurance (in case of illness or injury) and health check camps for itinerant quarry workers, which offer immunisation for children and pregnant women and distribute free medicines for prevalent diseases.
This year, Marshalls have committed to a 50% increase in funding for more healthcare provision and social insurance, plus educational classes for the children of the quarry workers.
Marshalls are committed to developing both their business and their products in a sustainable manner, rather than just focusing on environmental performance.
True sustainability is achieved by balancing the environmental, social and economic impacts of a business.
Ultimately, a hard core of businesses will only change bad habits when consumer spending forces them to. But if people are to make the right choices, they must have the right information. As buyers of natural stone, we must all seek proof that it is sustainably sourced.
As businesses, we must provide independent verification of that.
To really understand whether a product is sustainably sourced, we need clear product information on sourcing and environmental impact, independently verified labelling (eg BRE Eco Points) and membership of stakeholder organisations such as the Ethical Trading Initiative.
Marshalls support every effort in the industry to become more sustainable – whether the initiative comes from our customers, our suppliers or our competitors.
Being sustainable involves action, not just words. As an industry, we must rise to this challenge and ensure we work towards a better future for everyone involved in it.
