Sustainable
Stonemasonry.
A sustainable building material paired with sustainable business practices, because the choices we make in how we work matter as much as the materials we specify.
Our Commitment
Stone That Is Good for the Planet, and the Project.
AFJONES has been shaping stone since 1858. Over those generations we have seen materials come and go. Natural stone endures, and the way we source and use it reflects a genuine commitment to doing things properly.
Our commitment to sustainability is built into how we source, how we produce, and how we plan. From our water recycling plant to our workshop solar array, we are working to ensure that how we build is as good for the future as stone is for your project.
BRE Green Guide
A+
Natural stone holds the highest sustainability rating available, only something already in the ground or in an existing building can surpass it. Correctly specified, it outlasts the building it is installed in.
Aggregate Reused Monthly
40t
Stone aggregate from our yard is repurposed monthly, often used as a natural pH neutraliser for local farmland.
Carbon Neutral Target
2035
Electric fleet, solar investment, and a structured reduction plan across all operations at our Ipsden yard.
The Material
Itself
Why Choose Natural Stone?
A+ Sustainability Rating
Natural stone receives an A+ Sustainability Rating from the BRE Group's Green Guide, the highest available. Unlike concrete, stone production does not transfer significant CO₂ into the atmosphere and requires no toxic resins or synthetic chemicals.
Longevity & Durability
Stone has existed for approximately 4 billion years. A stone building, properly detailed, will outlast almost any alternative material, eliminating the need for replacement and reducing whole-life environmental cost significantly.
Low Maintenance & Value
Stone weathers beautifully over time and is easily cleaned to restore its original appearance. Advanced quarrying techniques continue to reduce waste and lower costs, making natural stone increasingly competitive with manufactured alternatives.
Sustainability at AFJONES
How We Work, Every Day.
Water Management
Our production yard operates a recycled water plant with on-site filtration. Water used in cutting and finishing is cleaned and recirculated, significantly reducing our consumption.
Waste Reduction
Approximately 40 tonnes of stone aggregate is reused every month from our yard, diverting waste from landfill and returning it to productive use.
Carbon Neutral by 2035
We are phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles across our fleet, introducing electric and hybrid alternatives. We are investing in solar panel installation at our Ipsden workshops and have set a structured target to be carbon neutral by 2035.
Beyond
the Yard
Stone and the Natural World.
Former Quarries as Nature Reserves
Over 600 SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) have been designated in former quarries across the UK. Once extraction is complete, these sites become wildlife retreats and contribute significantly to biodiversity restoration.
Responsible Sourcing
We actively prefer English stone wherever the project allows. UK-sourced stone carries 8× less transport footprint than equivalent material imported from China, minimising supply chain distance is one of the most effective ways to reduce embodied carbon.
Finite Impact, Permanent Result
Stone extraction is a temporary intervention that results in a permanent, natural building material. The environmental trade-off, finite quarrying for a product that lasts centuries, compares favourably with materials that require constant replacement.
Natural stone is not just a beautiful material — chosen and sourced responsibly, it is one of the most sustainable choices available in the built environment.
By combining long-lasting natural material with responsible production practices, AFJONES is committed to delivering stone that is as good for the future as it is for the project.
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