If you are looking into a kitchen remodel, there are many companies that specialize in or have recycled content options. Gaining in popularity in recent years, you can now find countertops that suit any taste. Here we take a look at ten U.S. companies making a difference in the world of eco friendly recycled content products that strive to make healthy, beautiful home countertops.
Recycled content countertops are generally separated into two groups: those made from paper or wood and those made from glass. If you go for paper/wood, look for products that are FSC certified. No matter what materials you decide on, make sure it has low or no VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) usage as exposure to VOCs is not healthy.
TOP ROW
1 IceStone, Sage Pearl Recycled Content Countertop by IceStone: Brooklyn based IceStone aims to produce the healthiest possible product for people and for the planet. Not only are their countertops made from 100% recycled glass and cement, but the company itself is eco friendly in all areas of its operation. IceStone products have received the Technical Nutrient certification by MBDC's Cradle to Cradle™ for their "human and ecological health characterization as well as reutilization potential."
2 Paper Stone, Sustainable Composite Surfaces: Paperstone prides itself on their "countertops with a conscience" made from 100% FSC certified post-consumer recycled paper that has been saturated with PetroFree™ phenolic resins and selected natural pigments. The company also works with the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System©, "a voluntary standard for developing environmentally responsible, low emission, high performance, sustainable buildings."
3 Gilasi, Recycled Glass Countertops: Gilasi is a Chicago based company that has partnered with the City of Chicago's Waste to Profit Network to recover and recycle glass destined for local landfills. Their countertops are composed of 85% recycled materials, most of which is glass that cannot be recycled using traditional methods.
4 Glass Recycled, Recycled Glass Countertops: Made by combining glass with epoxy resin rather than the traditional cement, Glass Recycled can custom make virtually any color for a lighter, less bulky countertop.
5 Richlite, Recycled Paper Countertops: Recycled content countertops by Richlite are produced in Washington and aim to create natural looking products with minimum impact to the environment. Their products "contribute to LEED building certification guidelines for third-party certified rapidly renewable, recycled content, regional, and low-emitting materials."
BOTTOM ROW
6 Recycle Top, Recycled Paper Countertop by KlipTech: Recycle Top from KlipTech is a 100% post consumer recycled paper fiber product solidified with a unique resin made of corn and cashew nut.
7 Eco Top, Recycled Content Countertop by KlipTech: Also by KlipTech, the Eco Top is made from clear 100% water based resin formula, allowing for a more diverse range of colors from pure white to UV stable Jet Black.
8 Fuez, Sustainable Surfaces: Fuez is made from 100% curbside recycled glass and cement. Not only are the products eco friendly, but production is as well. Recycled water is used in the production to reduce intake by 50% and electricity is generated by 100% wind power.
9 Squak Mountain Store, Recycled Content Countertops: Recycled paper, recycled glass, and low-carbon cement are hand-cast to create a unique fibrous-cement material resembling soapstone or limestone. This small business out of Seattle uses all local materials.
10 Trinity, Recycled Glass Countertops: Trinity is the sister company of Squak Mountain Stone and produces quality recycled glass countertops with the same environmentally friendly and community based values.
(Images: As linked)
Dirty Little Secrets of Tidy Families
Hillary & Michael's Refined Roost
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Nomade Express Slee...
How To Cook Fluffy, Tasty Quinoa
How to Make Buckwheat Soba Noodles from Scratch
We have IceStone countertops and I would not recommend them. While I love the feel and looks of the product, it easily stains (more than marble) and chips (especially around the undercounter sink). The customer service is not helpful and arrogant.
i like the look of the fuez concrete countertops. nice choices overall.
What are the price points like on these bad boys?
price ranges would be very helpful. as would guidance on durability. Looking for counters for a rental beach house, so durability is key.
I am so bummed to hear that you're not happy with your IceStone counters, otherminds! Those are my dream counters, but not if they are going to chip and stain! Boo! Now I'm not quite so bummed I couldn't afford them when we remodeled 3 years ago.
Instead, we have recycled concrete counters (made from the runways of a demolished airport), which have been basically a giant pain in the a$$ since we bought them. They have their good points (particularly in the bathroom, where we have pedastal sinks so they don't get wet and stain), but I certainly wouldn't buy them again. My advice: lots of companies that manufacture "green" housing materials are new- make sure they really know what they are doing!! When we saw our counters in the showroom, we had no idea the pictures of finished jobs were the ONLY jobs they'd done before- ours was maybe the 3rd installation, and their lack of experience was a nightmare. We were so concerned about buying something green and local that we neglected to ask all the OTHER questions we should have. First-time kitchen remodels are rough! I would consider concrete again, though, if it was from a REALLY reputable manufacturer/installer. Aside from cracks, stains and chips, we have issues I didn't even realize could become issues- buckling, anyone?!
Izzy brings up a good point. I would love to buy American made countertops manufactured with recycled content and green pratices. Bottom line though, countertops see a lot of action and they have to hold up. I'm also bummed about IceStone, they are a rather well known outfit, you'd think they'd have better customer service.