We like to keep good green materials resources tucked away for that eventual day when we own a home and are working on a design/renovation. So, here's a list of some of the best eco-friendly and sustainable kitchen countertops currently on the market.
1. Squak Mountain Stone: An alternative to quarried stone, these slabs are made of fly ash, post-industrial crushed glass, and low-carbon cement. Cost $50/sq. ft. Made with 50% recycled content including paper, with 1/3 less CO2 produced during manufacturing.
2. Durapalm: Harvested from coconut palms, this wood is slightly stronger than oak. Cost $23/sq. ft. 100% derived from old, nonfruiting palms.
3. BottleStone: Made of kiln-fired recycled glass and ceramic binders, it resists heat and stains and can be custom-designed using wine bottles. Cost $68/sq. ft. 80% recycled content and no VOCs.
4. Fuez: Made with recycled glass, fly ash, stone, and shells, it’s more durable than marble. Cost $80/sq. ft. Made with 60% to 80% recycled materials, including beer bottles, and manufactured using 100% wind-generated electricity.
5. EcoTop: This blend of bamboo, recycled paper, and wood fiber was originally used for skateboard ramps. Cost $35/sq. ft. 100% water-based resin and FSC-certified.
6. Vetrazzo: Made of cement and recycled glass.
7. Windfall Lumber: Reclaimed end-grain Douglas Fir by Windfall Lumber made with reclaimed wood from deconstructed warehouses.
8. Endura: Reclaimed Wine Vat Oak by Endura made from reclaimed material from local wineries.
9. Teragren: Natural beauty with a soft aesthetic. Made of strand bamboo.
10. Seeta by TorZo: Made from agricultural waste like sunflower-seed hulls and acrylic polymer, this countertop gives a granite-like appearance.
Check out Sunset Magazine for six more great options!
(Originally published 2009-08-05 - CB)
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what about Okite?
Reclaimed wood is another great choice -- depending on where you live, there may be a local fabricator of reclaimed barnwood or other wood countertops. A quick google of (your city) "reclaimed wood countertops" should turn up some info...
Please also consider all the ancillary environmental costs such as shipping, maintenance/replacement, and cleaning/sealing.
We considered recycled glass countertops in our kitchen, then found out that they had to be shipped from New Jersey, where they are manufactured, to Kansas City. The cost of shipping actually was greater than the cost of the counters. Ultimately, we went with durable stock countertops that were already here and that would be durable (not need replacement) and low maintenance (don't need much in the way of chemical cleaners or sealants).
Nice solution, heatherkay. Squak Mountain Stone's owner is so concerned about the shipping thing she was looking into setting up regional manufacturing plants (the last time I spoke to her, that is).
Paperstone worked out well for me, in combination with reclaimed wood...
Every Squak Mountain Stone concrete slab is hand-finished so it has a unique character similar to that of natural stones such as marble, travertine, and limestone. Squak Mountain Stone is generally used in kitchens and bathrooms as a counter top, table top or vanity top. If you haven't seen the "new" Squak Mountain stone you really don't know what you are missing out on! Tiger Mountain Innovations, LLC has recently made some great product improvements to their Squak Mountain Stone product. The coal fly-ash previously contained in the material has been substituted out with more recycled glass. Portland cement was substituted for low-carbon cement over 2 years ago as low-carbon cement releases much less co2 into the atmosphere during the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the slabs are available in a nominal 56"x96" size at 1-3/8" thickness. Slabs are gauged on the backside to ensure consistent thickness and ease of seaming for fabricators. A state-of-the-art vibration technology is used to minimize pinholes and give a more consistent character from slab to slab.