That’s the number one question A&E Recycled Granite, of Tucson, gets when they first introduce their products to people. Plastics, paper, metal and rubber are what most people think of when it comes to recyclable materials—no one ever thinks of stone. We had some of our most common questions answered by the experts at A&E.

How do we convert scrap stone into useable materials?

By being creative. Well, being creative and using a lot of sheer force. When you see a pile of scrap like this, usability is the last thing people think of. That’s where creativity comes into play and we have to think about which product each scrap piece can be used for. Is it large enough for a Paver? Does the color work with our Split Stone blends? How scratched is the surface for a Subway Tile? In fact, each piece of stone is evaluated, which is easy to do since we handle every piece of scrap individually. (Maybe not easy—3cm granite weighs 18lbs per square foot, which means some of our scrap is too heavy for a single person to lift.)

Once it’s been sorted, it’s time for manufacturing. That’s when the second most asked question comes up.

Do you crush it and reform it with glue to make your products?

That would be a big “no”. We keep all of our products 100 percent natural. No glues, no resins and no epoxies, which means all of our products are environmentally healthy. It requires a lot of sheer force to manufacture our stone building materials. We use machines that can exert a lot of pressure and we have to—granite is one of the strongest natural materials on our planet. Its strength is one of the reasons it’s so popular, and the beauty it adds to your home will last a long time.

Once people see it and understand the story behind the stone, they ask another question.

Where can I put it in my home?

Well, anywhere. Since it’s a solid stone product, you can install it inside and out. Granite Pavers look amazing as a patio, driveway or pool deck, and the Split Stone adds a designer element to any home’s façade, fireplace and even refreshes that old BBQ island. The Subway Tiles are stunning as a kitchen backsplash, a luxurious master shower or even as powder wainscoting.

Location: 8500 S. Nogales Hwy., Tucson. For more information, call 520-885-8970 or visit RecycledGraniteArizona.com.