Taking an environmentally responsible approach to remodeling has become so popular that eco-friendly countertop options provide an embarrassment of riches. In addition to products made of natural and renewable materials you can choose from a wide array of options made from recycled materials — some of which might surprise you.
Plastic
Every time I put a milk or detergent jug in the recycling bin, I wonder what becomes of it. Some of these containers are being transformed into countertop materials such as 100 Percent by 3form and Origins by Yemm and Hart. Both products use 100 percent post-consumer recycled high-density polyethylene. These countertops are impervious to water, and any scratches can easily be sanded away. The countertops will last forever, though susceptibility to heat damage may make them more practical for laundry rooms and bathrooms than for kitchens. Prices start at about $50 a square foot.
Metal
Recycled aluminum is taking a new form as well. Akemi offers a product made of 60 percent (by volume) fine-flake aluminum milling scrap, which would otherwise be burned during conventional aluminum recycling. This product has earned both Scientific Certification Systems certification and LEED credits. It is very durable and does not stain easily, though acidic liquids such as vinegar and fruit juices should not be left to sit on the material. Available in 1/2-in. and 3/4-in. slabs with textured and honed finishes, it runs about $65 to $100 a square foot.
Eleek, a manufacturer known for its recycled-aluminum lighting fixtures, now offers countertops made of the same material. Each is custom-built and ready to install with sinks that the company also makes from recycled aluminum or bronze. Using locally produced renewable energy and drawing 80 percent of materials from within 50 miles of its shop, Eleek produces beautiful countertops and sinks that do not show fingerprints, and because of aluminum’s conductive properties, the material remains at room temperature. The company also makes a variety of extruded- and cast-aluminum and bronze tiles that DIYers can use for a variety of projects. Costs start at around $95 a square foot.
Paper
Paper might be the last recyclable you’d think could be used for countertops, but Paperstone, Richlite, and EcoTop produce durable heat- and stain-resistant materials made from resin-impregnated paper. (If they’re tough enough for skateboard ramps and half-pipes, they’ll probably hold up in the average kitchen.)
Though the products vary in their amount of post-consumer recycled content, all three companies are committed to using green technologies with petro-free resins and to earning certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council, the National Sanitation Foundation and other environmental groups as well as LEED credits. EcoTop is also DIY-friendly, claiming to be the only solid-surface product on the market that DIYers can install with ordinary woodworking tools and still maintain the 10-year warranty. Material costs start at about $35 to $45 ($90 or more installed).
Glass
Another versatile recyclable material is glass: Mirrors, porcelain, bottles and jars can be combined with a resin or concrete matrix to create countertops that are highly resistant to stains, moisture and heat and come in an endless variety of colors and textures. Some names to check out are Vetrazzo, IceStone, Element Surfaces and Eco by Cosentino. All rate about the same as granite for strength and heat resistance. Vetrazzo and IceStone use cement-base matrices that need to be sealed like granite; Element Surfaces and Eco use VOC-free resin matrices that do not need to be sealed. Because of variations in the type of glass used, each piece is unique, and the combinations are limitless. Costs are similar to granite prices, starting at about $90 a square foot installed.
ThinkGlass offers another interesting option: solid glass slabs that can be customized to any shape, size and thickness. These countertops are completely nonporous (making them suitable for kosher kitchens), very strong, heat-resistant and impossible to stain, and they can be textured so that fingerprints and scratches go unnoticed. They can be cleaned with ordinary glass cleaner or a water-and-vinegar solution, and at the end of their lives they are completely recyclable. For an added “wow factor” they can be illuminated with LED lighting, making them the focal point of any room. Costs range from $200 to $400 a square foot.
Concrete
Solid-concrete countertops have been featured in HANDY, but there are additional concrete products that incorporate recycled materials. Squak Mountain Stone is a mixture of paper, concrete and fly ash, the glasslike residue that is formed from burning coal and normally escapes with the flue gasses or is scraped out of the furnaces and discarded in landfills. This residue can be used as a concrete strengthener, replacing some of the standard Portland cement. Squak Mountain Stone is tough and can be customized to any application. It does require a sealer, but it is easier to work with and lighter than solid concrete or granite. It can be installed as a slab or cut into brick- or tile-size pieces and set with grout. Prices are similar to those for granite, about $60 a square foot ($100 or more installed).
EcoX, from Meld USA, is a concrete product that incorporates 100 percent post-consumer and post-industrial recycled glass and composite aggregate materials in a low-Portland-cement mix. It has the same characteristics as other concrete countertops, is suitable for indoor or outdoor use and costs about $90 to $120 a square foot installed.
Fuez is another concrete-base material using 60 percent to 80 percent recycled materials, including glass, shells and stone. It is LEED certified and manufactured with 100 percent wind-generated power and recycled water. Fuez is factory-sealed, so the consumer doesn’t have to apply sealer. Prices range from $18 to $35 a square foot ($80 to $100 a square foot installed).
With the variety of options available, making your remodeling project eco-friendly has never been easier. And even if you’re not in the market for new countertops, you can contribute by recycling your paper, plastic, glass and metal. That newspaper, milk jug, jar or can on your counter might one day wind up in your neighbor’s countertop.
Sources
www.3-form.com
www.americanhomeplus.com
www.eleekinc.com
www.elementsurfaces.com
www.fuez.com
www.getwithgreen.com
www.gogreenstreet.com
www.greenandsave.com
www.greenbuildingadvisor.com
www.greenhomeguide.com
www.icestone.biz
www.kliptech.com
www.meldusa.com
www.naturalbuilthome.com
www.paperstoneproducts.com
www.renewedmaterials.com
www.richlite.com
www.squakmountainstone.com
www.thinkglass.com
www.vetrazzo.com
www.yemmhart.com