Cambria Sustainability Frequently Asked Questions

HOW IS CAMBRIA MINED AND PROCESSED?

For us, protecting the environment is second nature. In 2018, we acquired our own quartz mine, which yields some of the highest-quality quartz found on Earth. The mine possesses a quartz supply sustainable for hundreds of years.

By mining quartz particles through crushed stone, versus extracting full slabs from the Earth, we are able to leave a smaller, greener footprint, because it allows for a better yield per extraction and has less waste. And, to minimize disruption to the environment, mining sites are backfilled and the land restored after the quartz is extracted.

Ownership of the mine ensures our continuous access to some of the purest-quality quartz with a rare level of depth and clarity. We are now in full control of every step of the process, including meticulous quartz procurement, inspection, and quality checks at the mine itself. The newfound opportunity to handpick the perfect quartz at the mine will influence the innovation seen in future Cambria designs.

We take pride in ensuring responsible environmental stewardship of this unique resource.

DOES CAMBRIA HOLD ANY CERTIFICATIONS OR LISTINGS?

Yes, Cambria quartz surfaces are listed as Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPD) v2.1 and Living Building Challenge compliant. We also proudly participate in the Declare program and in mindful MATERIALS. See all of Cambria's credentials and certifications.

IS CAMBRIA SAFE FOR COOKING AND FOOD PREP?

Yes, all Cambria designs meet NSF 51 Food Zone Compliance. Being NSF certified for all three areas including food zones, splash zones, and nonfood zones means there can be direct contact with food.

FOOD ZONES are areas with direct or indirect contact with consumable food or where condensation may contact and then drain, drip, or splash back into food or food contact surfaces. Materials certified for use in a food zone are also suitable for use in splash and nonfood zones.

SPLASH ZONES are areas that are exposed to routine soiling from splashes and spills but are not surfaces intended for contact with consumable food. Materials certified for splash zones are not certified for use in food zones.

NONFOOD ZONES are areas that are not exposed to food or splashes but may be subject to some minor dirt or debris.

All Cambria quartz surfaces are nonporous and nonabsorbent of moisture and food materials, which can harbor harmful bacteria; are scratch and stain resistant; and are maintenance free, simply requiring only warm water, a soft cotton cloth, and mild soap, if desired, to clean. Learn more about CAMBRIA’S PRODUCT PERFORMANCE.

IS CAMBRIA COMPLIANT WITH THE LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE?

Yes, Cambria is COMPLIANT with the International Living Future Institute’s LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE (LBC), a green building certification program and sustainable design framework that visualizes the ideal for the built environment.

As the world’s most rigorous proven performance standard for buildings, LBC buildings give more than they take, creating a positive impact on the human and natural systems that interact with them. Our LBC compliance affirms that we do not use heavy metals.

HOW IS CAMBRIA COMMITTED TO TRANSPARENCY IN MANUFACTURING?

We led the industry by being one of the first in the category to use a Declare label for our products. Declare is a voluntary self-disclosure program that aims to transform the building materials industry toward healthier products through ingredient transparency. The Declare label indicates that we voluntarily disclose where our products come from, what they are made of, and where they go at the end of their lives.

DOES CAMBRIA USE HARMFUL ADHESIVES?

No. Our adhesives for setting seams in countertops are GREENGUARD approved.

WHERE IS CAMBRIA MANUFACTURED?

Headquartered in Le Sueur, Minnesota, we own and operate 32 facilities, including a state-of-the-art one-million-square-foot slab manufacturing facility; fabrication and distribution centers; and Cambria galleries, which are open to the public.

We pride ourselves on being the leading family-owned producer of American-made quartz surfaces.

HOW DOES CAMBRIA MINIMIZE ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT WITHIN THE PRODUCT AND FABRICATIONS FACILITIES?

WATER
Through a series of advanced settling and filtering techniques, we recycle 100% of the water used for production in our slab manufacturing plant and fabrication facilities, saving an estimated 1.6 billion gallons annually.
An on-site storm drainage pond provides water to the grounds of the slab manufacturing facility. The pond is replenished by runoff from the grounds, parking lot drains, and an on-site well.

POWER GENERATION
100% of the power used at the mine is hydroelectric.

TOOLING
All diamond-metal tooling is refurbished and reused. Each diamond-metal tool has a lifespan of approximately 2,000 lineal feet. At that point, we refurbish and restore the tool for use on another 2,000 lineal feet. This process is repeated up to seven times to stretch the tool’s usability.

QUALITY CONTROL
By thinking through prework and investing in technology, we minimize slab rework. To produce the highest quality product, we invest heavily in quality control, including state-of-the-art technological support. This naturally minimizes rework.

DOES CAMBRIA CONTRIBUTE TO LEED POINTS?

Cambria qualifies for one LEED point in the Indoor Environmental Quality: Low Emitting Materials category, which means Cambria reduces the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, potentially irritating, and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants.

Learn more about the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the LEED program.