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Sustainabililty Summit
Marshalls PLC hosted a Sustainability Summit on 16 November 2006, as part of a major campaign to educate consumers, trade and industry about the two pressing issues of sustainability and ethics facing the hard landscaping industry.
The Marshalls campaign is in response to their concerns that some imported Indian natural sandstone, although less expensive than UK-sourced natural York stone, comes from highly unethical sources. Many Indian quarries employ child labour to work in highly dangerous conditions. The quarry operators are often corrupt and their lack of environmental management is potentially disastrous, as highlighted in a recent report on sandstone quarrying in Budhpura: http://www.indianet.nl/budhpura.pdf
Chris Harrop, Marshalls' Group Marketing Directors passionate in his concern: lt's clear that we must act quickly, before our own domestic patios and terraces bear the weight of a socialenvironmental and economic catastrophe in the developing world."
Marshalls is committed to sustainable best practice. As a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and the FTSE 4 Good,the company ensures that all its natural sandstone suppliers are independently audited against the nine point ETI base code. Now it aims to drive the wider debate on sustainable landscapes - and contribute towards social, economical and environmental progress in this area.
The recent Summit at Pines Calyx took place within the inspirational surroundings of the organically managed six acre Pines Garden at St Margaret's Bay, Kent. Pines Calyx conference venue is described as a 'nutritious'building,
working alongside and serving the natural systems of its landscape. Invited delegates, all leaders in the fields of sustainability, garden design, environmental conscious building,green guides and professional associations, have a key role to play in setting the sustainable hard landscapes agenda for 2007. BALI was represented by Chief Executive Sandra Loton-Jones and BALI Landscape News Editor Denise Ewbank.
A series of half hour perspectives was offered on behalf of academics, manufacturers, designers and installers, as well as insights from industry and the consumer audience. The Summit focused on the perspectives of the people and bodies that influence choice and on key issues facing the hard landscaping industry.These perspectives provided the basis for discussion and debate, ensuring that key concerns about sustainability are addressed in 2007.To find out more about the Marshalls for Sustainable Landscapes campaign.
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