"Green" counter tops are products made from recycled materials, (such as reclaimed wood, paper, glass) or renewable materials (cork, bamboo, concrete) that have minimal impact on the environment during their production/ creation. They are manufactured in a variety of different combinations of natural and man-made materials to make composite slabs. Most 'green" counter tops will include some form of recycled waste into the composition of the final material. These renewed counter tops are an attractive and viable substitution to many conventional counter surfaces.
We've put together a list of several companies that make eco- friendly counter tops. I have put them together for you in categories of raw materials used. The Company name will link you to their product site.
Metal
Alkemi: Offers counter tops made from 60% post industrial aluminum waste and resins.
Eleek: Is a manufacturer of sinks made from recycled aluminum designed to fit standard kitchen counter tops.
Paper
Paperstone: Paneltech International Offers Paperstone(c) a revolutionary product that has a 100% sustainable life cycle. Paperstone Counter tops are manufactured form 100% recycled consumer cardboard and cashew nut oil.
Richlite: Offers paper-based counter tops.
Glass
There are a variety of reclaimed and recycled glass counter top options. and, may of the options will vary depending on the manufacturing process, the binding agent and final application of the material.
Bio Glass Bio-Glass counter tops are manufactured from 100% recycled glass.
EnviroGlas EnviroGLAS Terrazzo is made of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled glass. Each EnviroGLAS product is about 75% recycled glass and 25% binder. Which gives a greater concrete to glass ratio.
Trinity Glass Products Offers recycled glass and concrete counter tops. the recycled glass material used has been crushed into a smaller, more uniform look.
Vetrazzo All of the glass used in Vetrazzo is recycled, and it makes up about 85% of the total material. Most of the glass comes from curbside recycling programs.The larger percentage of aggregate material in the mix provides for bright, vibrant counter tops.
VitraStone Offers eco friendly sinks and counter tops made from a special blend of ceramic cement, fly ash, and recycled glass.
IceStone IceStone® durable surfaces are strong like granite, not as porous as marble and heat-resistant like stone. The chemical composition 99.5% inorganic making it a very safe material from the standpoint of toxicity and fire resistance.
Stone
Caeserstone: Offers counter tops made from 93% natural quartz.
Lithistone: Offers counter tops and sinks made from an eco-friendly ceramic cement, with aggregate materials of different grades of sand and stone, recycled material, and organic mineral pigments.
Wood
Endura Wood Products: Offers a wide variety of certified and rediscovered woods and wood products for homes and business.
Craft Art : Offers reclaimed wood counter tops.
Eco-Top: Offers counter tops made from a 50/50 blend of bamboo fiber, and recycled wood fiber salvaged from demolition sites. These materials are bound together by a water-based resin formula that is both petroleum-free and VOC-free.
Mixture of Materials
Syndcrete: Offers cement based counter tops made from post consumer bottle glass, tempered glass, wood chips, metal shavings, shells, and more.
Squak Mountain Stone: A Fibrous-cement material comprised of recycled paper, recycled glass, coal fly-ash and cement. Material is hand-cast into “slabs” as an alternative to natural or quarried stone. Resembles soapstone or limestone.
In addition to the counter top material to be used in your kitchen or bathroom project, the methods and materials used in the construction and fabrication of the counter base should be considered. There are some important factors in the construction of the counter top that are frequently overlooked. It’s important to remember to choose the right materials that will not off-gas toxic compounds into your home’s air. Something to think about when installing new stone counter tops is the adhesive that is used to attach the stone to its base. Most adhesives are epoxy-based and very high in VOCs. It’s best to use adhesive that is specified as zero-VOC and base that is specified as formaldehyde-free plywood. In addition, most resins contain petroleum based products which are not green. However, it’s important to note that there are alternative natural resins available to be used in the production of man-made counter tops.
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