16 Eco-Friendly Kitchen Countertops
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)