Transforming rejected glazed tiles into stunning, sustainable tiles through a full-circle process
By Clay Imports
At Clay Imports, our mission is rooted in respect for our planet and its natural resources. We believe in the importance of preserving the environment and promoting sustainable living through conscious design choices. That’s why we are thrilled to introduce a groundbreaking innovation in tile making, the Recycled Clay Collection. This beautifully sustainable line of eco-friendly tiles is crafted with care, offering a trailblazing solution for those seeking green building materials without compromising on style.
- The Concept Behind the Recycled Clay Collection
- Tile Waste and Its Environmental Impact
- Why Recycled Materials Matter in Tile Production
- How Our Recycled Clay Tiles Are Made
- Environmental Benefits of Recycled Clay Tiles
-
Recycled Clay Collection Highlights
-
New Colors in the Recycled Clay Tile Collection
- Join the Sustainable Tile Design Movement
- Other Sustainable Tile Products and Practices for Your Projects
While imperfections are to be expected with handmade tiles, occasionally, some pieces don't meet our high-quality standards, so we recycle them and make new tiles.
The Concept Behind the Recycled Clay Collection
At Clay Imports, we believe that great design and sustainability go hand in hand. With the Recycled Clay Collection, our goal was to create a line of tiles that not only elevates your space but also inspires more mindful living.
We know many of you share our passion for protecting the environment, and that commitment drives everything we do. Every design choice matters, which is why we aim to craft products that are both beautiful and environmentally responsible. This collection reflects that vision, helping you create spaces that are as eco-conscious as they are stunning.
Tile Waste and Its Environmental Impact
Did you know that each year, tons of tile waste are generated during manufacturing and renovation processes? Most of this ends up in landfills, contributing to pollution and the depletion of our natural resources. Believing in supporting our planet, we knew there had to be a better way to repurpose these tile scraps and give them a new life.
Why Recycled Materials Matter in Tile Production
By using recycled materials in tile production, we’re not only diverting waste from landfills but also reducing the demand for raw resources like clay and minerals. This helps conserve energy, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and support a more sustainable building industry.
Recycling glazed ceramic tiles has long been considered a challenge due to their unique composition. The glazing process creates a non-porous surface that resists melting and re-forming, making it difficult to remove the glaze and recycle the material. Because of this, few viable options exist for processing and repurposing glazed ceramics.
At Clay Imports, we’ve developed a full-circle recycling process that allows us to reuse glazed ceramic tiles in innovative ways. We even recycle water throughout production: excess water from glazing is redirected and reused in the clay body mixture.
Our design team embraced the challenge of turning rejected tiles into beautiful new pieces. By experimenting with colors and textures, they created a vibrant, diverse collection that proves sustainability and style can go hand in hand. The result is a sustainable tile collection that brings new life to spaces while reducing environmental impact.
How Our Recycled Clay Tiles Are Made
Curious about how we transform tile scraps into beautiful, sustainable surfaces? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the eco-friendly tile production process that makes our Recycled Clay Collection possible.
- Collecting Waste and Rejected Glazed Tiles: In handmade tile production, imperfections naturally occur—chips, cracks, or irregular finishes after firing in the kiln. Instead of discarding these pieces, we save every scrap and give them a second chance to shine.
- Crushing, Cleaning, and Reforming: The collected tile waste is carefully crushed into smaller pieces, then blended with a small amount of fresh materials to ensure long-lasting durability. Impurities are removed, and the refined mixture is pressed and fired in the kiln, creating strong, brand-new tile bodies ready for glazing.
- Quality Control and Assurance: Sustainability never means sacrificing quality. Each recycled tile undergoes rigorous testing and inspection to meet our high standards of durability, natural color variation, and design. The result? Recycled clay tiles that are not only beautiful but also built to last.
Recycled Clay tiles are made by crushing rejected glazed tiles, mixing them with raw clay and recycled water to create tiles that are even stronger and more durable.
Environmental Benefits of Recycled Clay Tiles
By using recycled materials in our tiles, we're helping to reduce waste and minimize our carbon footprint. But the benefits don't stop there! When you choose our recycled tiles for your home, you're also contributing to a greener future: You are supporting sustainable design and manufacturing practices. It's a win-win for both you and the planet.
Recycled Clay Collection Highlights
Here’s what makes our Recycled Clay Collection a standout choice for eco-friendly tile design:
- Unique Design Options Inspired by Nature Our design team drew inspiration from the beauty of Mexican landscapes to create a diverse range of tiles. From earthy tones reminiscent of sunlit hillsides to vibrant blues that echo coastal waters, these tiles capture the essence of nature. With such variety in hues and textures, there’s a perfect option for every style and space.
- Specialty Finish: Barro Matte Taking recycling a step further, we developed Barro Matte, a specialty finish where even the glaze is mixed back into the clay body. This innovation creates a durable matte surface with a natural clay color, similar to our beloved Dhanis Red Terracotta Tiles. The result is a one-of-a-kind finish that blends beauty with sustainability.
- Versatile for Any Space These recycled tiles are designed to adapt to your vision, perfect for a kitchen backsplash, a bathroom feature wall, or even a statement fireplace surround. Their versatility ensures they bring both style and sustainability to any room in your home.
- Sustainable and Affordable By recycling scrap tiles and water, we lower waste and raw material costs. This efficiency allows us to offer handcrafted, high-quality tiles at competitive prices, so you don’t have to choose between budget and sustainability.
Shower walls featuring Barro 2x6
Design Bonnet Ventures | Photo Will Strawser | Grout Color Mapei Pecan
New Colors in the Recycled Clay Tile Collection
We’re excited to introduce five stunning new colors to the Recycled Clay Collection, each inspired by natural tones and everyday beauty:
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Pearl Snap: a rustic white with timeless appeal.
- Cacao: a rich, earthy brown that brings warmth and depth.
- Cajeta: a caramel-inspired hue, soft yet striking.
- Mexican Vanilla: a subtle off-white with hints of warmth, perfect for creating inviting spaces.
- Spearmint: a refreshing green that adds a cool, modern touch.
- Marigold:a bold, sunlit yellow with vibrant energy.
These shades expand the creative possibilities of recycled clay tiles, offering designers and homeowners more ways to blend sustainability with style.
And we’re just getting started. More colors are coming soon!
Join the Sustainable Tile Design Movement
Eco-friendly interior design is no longer just a trend, it’s becoming the standard for how we shape our living spaces. From reclaimed wood to energy-efficient lighting, homeowners and designers everywhere are embracing materials that balance style with sustainability. Our Recycled Clay Collection is part of this movement, offering a way to transform your home with tiles that are as beautiful as they are environmentally responsible.
By choosing recycled tiles, you’re helping reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and support a circular economy where materials are continuously repurposed instead of discarded. Each tile you select is a small but powerful step toward a greener future.
We invite you to join us on this journey, embracing mindful design, protecting our planet, and proving that sustainability and stunning interiors can go hand in hand. Together, we can make a difference, one tile at a time.
These recycled tiles have higher durability and more visual appeal than many traditional tiles, making them an excellent choice for eco-conscious designers.
Other Sustainable Tile Products and Practices for Your Projects
Our recycled tile collection is just the beginning. There are so many other ways to create eco-friendly spaces that align with your lifestyle. Consider using low-VOC products, like our organic terracotta line of tiles, for cleaner air inside your home. Don't forget to also incorporate plants for cleaner air and a touch of natural beauty!
We hope you're feeling inspired to explore our collection of recycled tiles and bring some eco-friendly flair to your home. Remember, every small step towards sustainability counts, and together, we can create a greener future for our beloved communities. So go ahead, dive into the world of sustainable design, and let your imagination run wild.
If you have any questions or require more information, don't hesitate to reach out to us at contact@clayimports.com.
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