Ethical policy

At Devon Stone we are continuously being asked about the ethics and environmental impact of our industry.  As a result and in line with our chosen partners, we have implemented and manage/evolve the following Devon Stone ethical policy.  In so doing, Devon Stone is taking a unique and leading role in managing environmental impact within the UK natural stone industry.

1. Devon Stone will work with suppliers of natural stone that understand and actively manage the environmental impact of their business.  A key criteria in the selection of our strategic and business partners is the adoption of an environmental policy by these organisations.  A good example of this in practice is applied by our major European wholesaler BELTRAMI through it's fair environmental and commercial policy.  Beltrami's and therefore our suppliers (quarries and producers of natural stone) have been asked to sign a company charter of Responsible Business.
2. Devon Stone actively seek a fair trading policy through careful selection of our trading partners.  Devon Stone not only select product on price and quality but also according to criteria such as sustainability, reliability, ethical practices, social supplies, workplace safety and health supplies.
3. Devon Stone operates a conscious logistics policy.  Our position as a leading supplier of natural stone with a greater than average offering requires that natural stone is imported from around the world before moving it around the UK.  Our centralised purchasing arrangement with key European wholesalers such as Beltrami ensure that rigorous logistical standards are maintained.  The majority of our cross European movement of stone is now managed on vehicles that comply with the strict EURO5 standards before their legal enforcement (current standard is still EURO 3).
4. Devon Stone believes in local procurement were possible.  At Devon Stone we constantly strive to find the best products in the stone industry.  Whilst we continue to supply leading products such as Mapei and Lithofin, we actively search out equivalent UK manufactured products.  This year we have become stockists of LTP stone sealing and maintenance product as well as Stonefix adhesives.  Both these products are manufactured in the UK and in the case of LTP products within 50 miles of one of our warehouses. 
5. When stone is required to be transported long distance, Devon Stone work with our shipping agents to minimise the carbon footprint of the transport.  This is usually achieved by using and categorising our stone containers as ballast, a necessary element of shipping.  Technically transport as ballast is considered to be carbon neutral.
6. Internally, Devon Stone strives to apply environmentally friendly processes such as recycling of our waste product and in particular paper and wood (pallet) waste.  Our vehicle replacement programme will see the selection of vehicles based on fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions.  Devon Stone has also working towards becoming a carbon neutral organisation.