A member of the U.S. Green Building Council, Crossville, Inc. is committed to protecting the environment through our quality manufacturing processes and by offering recycled and environmentally-friendly products.

Our waste-water policies exceed government standards and we have earned several citations for effective waste-water practices. Nearly 100 percent of the water used in manufacturing is recycled back into our processes; the minimal amount that is not recaptured is returned clean to its natural habitat.

We maximize use of natural gas, a clean burning, efficient fuel, which helps alleviate negative impacts such as smog, acid rain and water pollution. Our dust collection procedures not only allow us to limit air pollution, both inside and outside our plants, but allow us to reuse unfired raw scrap materials during manufacturing. While this reuse does not constitute recycling, it does minimize landfill deposits while conserving raw materials.

Crossville's EcoCycle was the first porcelain tile certified for recycled content. Scientific Certification Systems, an independent third-party certifier of environmental claims, conducts regular audits of our innovative processes to ensure that EcoCycle is in strict compliance. Our Echo Recycled Glass tile and Color Blox EC have recycled content certified byScientific Certification Systems. SCS will also verify Urban Renewal's recycled content, guaranteeing that all these tiles tile are as green as they are beautiful.

Recognizing that sound environmental policies reach beyond manufacturing processes and product offerings into all business operations, we have formed an Environmental Commitment Task Force comprising of representatives from each of our operational units to evaluate current practices for efficiency and environmental impact and to recommend future innovations that will further establish Crossville as the environmental leader in the tile industry. In 2008, this task force will host the first Cumberland Green Summit at Crossville Inc., in order to create awareness among local and regional industries about green best practices as well as to develop collaborative sustainable efforts throughout the region.

Created from abundant natural resources, Porcelain Stone is inherently kind to the environment. It requires no sealers or waxes and no harsh chemicals are needed for cleaning; in most cases water is all that is required for routine maintenance. According to a study commissioned by the Tile Council of North America, porcelain tile has an expected life cycle of 50 years.

Porcelain Stone can also contribute to indoor air quality. It does not emit volatile organic compounds, nor do the setting and grouting materials needed for its installation. Furthermore, Porcelain Stone will not act as a sink to absorb VOCs or other chemicals from surrounding materials. After it is installed, Crossville Porcelain Stone tile forms a completely inert flooring system that will not support bacterial or fungal growth.