Rocks & Pebbles

Natural ecosystems can be devastated simply to cover driveways or garden beds with pebbles. Supplying these non-renewable products involves mining and has energy costs associated with processing and transport, often over large distances, but some pebbles are more sustainable than others.

Rocks and pebbles are mined from 4 main sources -

1. Active streambeds and beaches: Removing rocks, pebbles and sand from waterways is outlawed in Australia under state legislation. This is not necessarily so in the rest of the world. Some landscaping pebbles that are sourced from overseas have been mined from active streams and beaches, damaging these landscapes. These pebbles are supplied in their natural state after washing but are not polished.

2. Mining by-products: manufactured from the remains of natural stone quarrying overseas. These are usually tumbled to take off the sharp edges, but are not polished.

3. Sand mining refuse: These are picked out of a stockpile of stone that is sieved out of sand mining operations. The stones are tumbled for about 6 hours and wax dipped prior to bagging

4. Land quarries of old stream routes: Over time there is a change in the routes that streams take as they flow to the sea. This leaves behind deposits of sand, rocks and pebbles that can be quarried from dry land without damaging existing streams. The mining process does disturb the landscape, however.

Generally, if pebbles are available in bulk, they will have been mined from an Australian quarry, without damaging an active stream. Some companies now have a range of local and imported pebbles that are mined in a less damaging way. Pebbles made from recycled stone and glass are also a good alternative.

Volcanic rock and granite is collected from private land. This has a relatively low impact on the environment, although bushrocks do provide places for lizards to sunbake! An alternative may be to use artificial rocks made from materials such as fibreglass, although the production process for these products is not without significant environmental costs. Why not consider making your own artificial rocks from old cement, rubble and stones?

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