Green Countertop Options
There are wide range of countertops available with more and more being made with “green” materials. Choosing the right countertops that fit your lifestyle and budget while still being green can be a difficult task. That’s why I compiled some of the top options for counter tops that are eco-friendly. Below is a quick summary of all I will be discussing along with their pros, cons and cost.
Green Countertops
| Glass | Paper/Wood | Metal | Laminate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pros | Durable, Beautiful Look | Durable, Variety of Looks and Colors | Durable, Easy Maintaince, Professional Look | Inexpensive |
| Cons | Fairly Expensive | Porous and can stain (Wood) | Scatch Easy (Stainless Steel) | Not as durable, less appealing |
| Cost | $$$$ | $$ | $-$$$$ | $ |
Glass Terrazo
Recycled glass is a popular option are made by using glass mixed with a hard compound like cement or resin . One of the biggest draws of this type of counter top is the fact that it looks and feels extremely similar to a quartz countertops like granite. The cost can sometimes be high, but these countertops are extremely durable and can last for many decades. Some major companies that make these glass countertops include:
- IceStone: Made from 100% recycled glass that is mixed with cement. Their slabs are highly durable, extremely beautiful, a large selection of colors and finishes and are made from eco-friendly materials. The ingredients they are also VOC free and received the Cradle to Cradle gold certification. They are located at Brooklyn’s Navy Yard in New York, where all of their products are made. Expect to pay anywhere from $60 – $70 per square foot for the slab itself.
- EnviroGLAS: Made from 100% recycled glass and porcelain, comprising about 75% of the total slab. Their have options that are both affordable and fully customizable. Just about any color resin can be mixed with the glass to get the countertop that fits you best. They are also extremely durable, easy to clean and fairly stain resistant. Retail price for EnviroGLAS slabs are about $50. The price can increase depending on the customization of the slab.
Recycled Paper/Wood
Another cost effective and attractive countertop are those made from recycled wood and paper that are mixed with compound like cement or resin. They have similar qualities as the recycled glass countertops, but have a different look. Looks similar to a natural stone like soapstone with a rustic feel. Here is a video of how a popular paper/wood countertop is made:
Companies that make these types of countertops include:
- PaperStone: PaperStone prodoucts are made from post-consumer waste, recycled paper and petroleum-free, phenolic resins. Most of the paper and cardboard they use is from 100% recycled post-consumer waste that is certified using FSC standards. Paperstone is highly durable, stain resistant, low absorbant and fire resistant. Prices for Paperstone are in the range of $30 – $60 per sq. foot.
- EcoTop: EcoTop is made by KlipTechthat is made from a 50/50 combination of 100% post consumer recycled paper and bamboo fibers that are bound with a 100% water based resin. These countertops are extremely customizable as they come in just about any color. EcoTop’s are highly durable, scratch resistant, low water absorbent and easy to clean. They recently receive several aways for being one of the top green building products. The cost is comparable to other products in this category at about $35 per sq. foot.
- Squak Mountain Stone: A fibrous-cement material comprised of recycled paper, recycled glass and coal fly-ash. Their stones resemble soapstone or limestone. They are located at Woodinville, WA and stones cost approximately $50 per square foot.
Reclaimed Wood
Don’t forget about reclaimed wood that can have the same look and feel as wood countertops, without having to cut down all those trees to make them.
Metal
You always see beautiful stainless steel counter tops restaurant style kitchens, but can sometimes be expensive to purchase. On top of that, mining virgin metals to get stainless steel and aluminum heavily tax our environment. If you can use recycled paper and glass, why not metal? Recycled metal countertops are fairly popular and cost effective. You get all the benefits of the non-recycled counterpart like durability and easy maintenance without having to further damage our environment. You can even try to get reclaimed stainless steel sheets at a fraction of the price and prevent from having to be sent to a recycling facility. The metal countertop manufacturer that I found interesting:
Alkemi: Renewed Materials is located in Cabin John, MD close to Washington DC. ( I had to look it up because I didn’t even know where this was and I live in Maryland ). Alkemi countertops are made from 60% post industrial scrap aluminum with the remainder coming from a resin compound. They are fairly expensive at $70-$80 per sq. foot.
Laminate
Let’s not forget about good old laminate known generally for being the most inexpensive option. Not all laminate countertops are created equal, so make sure to do your homework to make sure that they are made from recycled materials and water based adhesives. By choosing the most eco-friendly option you can make sure your countertops are safer for your family as well.
EQCountertops are made from 100% pre-consumer recycled particleboard and water based adhesives as a great option for laminate.
Custom Countertops
There are a variety of other companies out there that sell great green countertops similar to the ones I list above. Just make sure to do the research first as with anything and you will be sure to get a long lasting quality countertop.
