originate natural building materials

Where Can I See Sustainable Materials Around Tucson?

by Kate Maassen
March 19, 2025

Being a small business in Tucson means more than just operating within the community—it means actively contributing to its growth, sustainability, and unique character. When we partner with other local businesses, we are not just supplying materials; we are working together to create spaces that reflect the values and creativity of our city. This collaboration fosters a network of support, where businesses can rely on each other to share knowledge, expertise, and resources. By choosing to work with fellow Tucson-based companies, we help keep money circulating in the local economy, strengthen relationships, and build a community that prioritizes sustainability.

Working with local businesses also allows us to offer personalized service and tailor solutions to their specific needs. Whether it’s helping a yoga studio create a calming, toxin-free environment or assisting a restaurant in selecting durable, eco-friendly finishes, we take the time to understand each project and provide materials that align with their vision. This level of engagement leads to better outcomes, as we ensure that every product we provide contributes to a healthier and more sustainable space. Take a look at how some of our materials are being used around Tucson and in other parts of Arizona!

Healthy Wall Finishes

Wall finishes play a crucial role in indoor air quality, aesthetics, and overall wellness. Natural plasters like American Clay and lime-based paints create breathable surfaces that regulate humidity and reduce the risk of mold, making them ideal for wellness spaces, restaurants, and retail environments. These finishes not only provide depth and warmth but also eliminate the off-gassing associated with conventional paints. Mineral-based and clay paints offer rich, natural colors without VOCs, ensuring a safer indoor atmosphere. Canyon Ranch chose American Clay for its ability to enhance a serene, chemical-free space, while the Tucson Herb Store selected no-VOC paints to align with their commitment to toxin-free herbal remedies. Whether used for murals, accent walls, or full interior spaces, non-toxic paints ensure a healthier atmosphere for businesses that prioritize well-being.

Sustainable Flooring Solutions

Sustainable flooring options help reduce environmental impact while providing durability and aesthetic appeal. Marmoleum flooring is a long-lasting, natural linoleum product made from renewable materials like linseed oil and jute. Its antimicrobial properties make it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas in businesses such as restaurants, retail shops, and medical offices. Kingfisher had Marmoleum installed 6 years ago in 2018, and it has proven to hold up to the hustle and bustle. Cork flooring, another sustainable option, is soft underfoot, providing comfort for spaces where employees and customers are on their feet or in a cat cow sequence for extended periods. Marmoleum and cork also have acoustic properties, which can help maintain a calming environment or help dampen a noisy one. Additionally, engineered hardwood flooring made from responsibly sourced materials brings warmth and elegance to any commercial space while maintaining sustainability, which you can see first hand at Minimal Mae.

  • Minimal Mae – Allwood Herringbone Engineered Hardwood flooring
  • EcoSense – Marmoleum Click flooring
  • Mercado – Antiquus Triple Texture ‘Rustic’ White Oak floor
  • Kingfisher – Marmoleum flooring
  • Tucson Yoga – Cork flooring – 2 studios (no longer in business)
  • 4th Avenue Yoga – Cork flooring
  • Center for Biological Diversity – Marmoleum & Cork flooring
  • Little Chapel of All Nations – Cork flooring
  • Caritas Center for Healing – Cork flooring & Marmoleum Click flooring
  • Wilko Restaurant & Market – Bamboo flooring (no longer in business)
  • The Hive Hair Salon – Cork flooring (no longer in business)
  • Tucson Community Acupuncture – Marmoleum flooring
  • Reid Park Zoo Environmental Learning Center – Marmoleum flooring (since removed)
  • Pure Aesthetics School – Marmoleum flooring
  • Vision Now – Marmoleum flooring

Reclaimed and Repurposed Materials

Salvaged and repurposed materials add unique character while reducing waste. Reclaimed wood, beams, doors, and fixtures provide an authentic, rustic charm that cannot be replicated with new materials. Businesses looking for sustainable solutions can incorporate salvaged sinks, cabinets, and decorative elements to enhance their interiors while lowering their environmental footprint. EcoSense Landscaping incorporated a salvaged stainless steel sink and counter into their outdoor space, which not only serves a purpose, it compliments their industrial style shipping container buildings. When you walk in to Exo on Simpson, you will love their choice of salvaged light fixtures that add a sense of nostalgia and complements its cozy, welcoming atmosphere. By giving new life to previously used materials, businesses can tell a story of sustainability and resourcefulness while designing a space that stands out.

  • Faun Salon – Salvaged wood for bench and floating shelves
  • Sundrea Design Build – Reclaimed beams, cast iron spiral staircase & metal work
  • Bloom Maven– Salvaged saltillo Tiles
  • EcoSense – Salvaged sink, salvaged metal frame windows, & St. Charles Cabinets
  • Watershed Management – Salvaged screen door
  • The Joshua Tree House– Salvage wood, and salvage metal frame window
  • Ceres – Salvaged architectural frame & reclaimed wood
  • Kaelen Harwell – Salvaged Wood & clawfoot tub
  • Pure Aesthetics School – Salvaged tiles for mural
  • Exo Roast Co – Salvaged light fixtures
  • The Coronet – Salvaged doors
  • Zinman’s – Salvaged door hardware
  • Aravaipa Farms – Salvaged light fixtures & door
  • Center for Biological Diversity – Salvaged door hardware
  • The Motive – Reclaimed wood & Salvaged light fixtures
  • Good Eye Living – Reclaimed airplane window (no longer in business)

Eco-Friendly Countertops and Finishes

We offer a range of countertops and finishes that are not only durable and beautiful but also made from sustainable materials. Paperstone and Richlite countertops are crafted from recycled paper and non-toxic resins, making them a responsible choice for workspaces, restaurants, and hospitality businesses. The Paperstone order counter at Beaut Burger in the Annex has certainly held up with its busy lifestyle. IceStone, made from recycled glass and cement, provides a striking and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional stone countertops. It’s not only beautiful, but it’s extremely durable and can hold up to daily use like it does at the South Mountain Community Library in Phoenix. Eco-friendly countertop materials offer a modern, industrial aesthetic while reducing the reliance on resource-intensive materials. These options help businesses create stylish, high-performance surfaces that align with their sustainability goals.

Bamboo and Acoustic Panels for Sustainable Design

Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource that offers both strength and beauty, making it an excellent choice for furniture, cabinetry, and decorative elements in commercial spaces. Bamboo plywood and butcher block are durable and stylish, lending a modern yet natural look to offices, restaurants, and retail spaces. If you’ve enjoyed a bite at Zinburger on Campbell, you’ve most certainly seen some Plyboo products first hand providing stylish and long lasting dining surfaces. Acoustic panels made from recycled materials help manage noise levels in busy environments, or set the tone for a productive planning meeting for your next landscaping project in the relaxing offices of Sundrea Designs. These materials contribute to both aesthetic and functional sustainability in business settings.

  • Sundrea Designs – Echo Eliminator Acoustic panels, 3-Form panels
  • Sky Bar – Kirei Sorghum Board & Plyboo Bamboo Plywood for tables
  • ZinBurger (Campbell) – Plyboo Bamboo Butcherblock & Plywood for Bar counter & tables
  • Kaelen Harwell Salon – Plyboo Bamboo Plywood & Flooring for Displays, 3-Form panels

Other Unique Eco-Friendly Products

Beyond traditional building materials, we offer innovative products that help businesses operate more sustainably. Watershed Management installed a SunMar composting toilet at their Learning Center, reducing water waste while promoting responsible resource use. Meanwhile, Sky Bar incorporated an EcoSmart Fireplace, a bio-ethanol fueled system that provides clean-burning warmth without the emissions of traditional fireplaces. These products showcase the many ways businesses can integrate sustainability into their operations, from water conservation to energy-efficient heating solutions.

Looking Ahead

Tucson is full of passionate, forward-thinking businesses that are shaping a more sustainable future, and we are grateful to be part of that movement. We are constantly inspired by the ways our materials are used to bring creative, eco-conscious visions to life. Next time you visit a local café, yoga studio, or shop, keep an eye out—you just might spot some of our materials at work. More importantly, take a moment to appreciate the many businesses making thoughtful choices to create healthier spaces for all of us. We’re excited to continue learning, collaborating, and supporting this incredible community in every way we can.